One end of a vertical spring of spring constant \(k=1500 \mathrm{~N} / \mathrm{m}\) is attached to the floor. You compress the spring so that it is \(2.40 \mathrm{~m}\) shorter than its relaxed length, place a \(1.00-\mathrm{kg}\) ball on top of the free end, and then release the system at \(t=0\). (All values are measured in the Earth reference frame.)

(a) By how much does the mass of the spring change during the time interval from \(t=0\) to the instant the ball leaves the spring?

(b) By how much does the mass of the Earth-ball-spring system change during the time interval from \(t=0\) to the instant the ball reaches its maximum height?