Calculating Speed of Falling Meter Stick

[aug]

First let me say I appreciate everyone on these forums who takes the time out to help.

My question is as follows:
It has 2 parts.

Part 1:
A uniform meter stick (1 m long) is held on its edge against a frictionless table. The meter stick is released and it falls to the table.

Part 2:
The meter stick is connected so the stick can still fall but one end remains in place.

This is all the information I have and I am suppose to figure out the speed of the center of mass.

I am completely lost as how to do this.
Any help or guidance would be extremely beneficial. Thank you.

 

[andrewchang]

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=102635

 

[Doc Al]

Hint: Both cases can be solved using energy conservation.