Isotropic Harmonic Oscillator Orbit Calculation | Central Motion Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the orbit of a particle in an isotropic harmonic oscillator with a potential defined as V(r) = 0.5kr². The key equation for the radial motion is dr/dt = √(2/m(E - 0.5kr² - L²/2mr²), where 'stuff' represents the right-hand side of the equation. Participants highlight the challenge of solving the integral ∫(dr/stuff) and suggest using substitutions to simplify the integral, specifically recommending the transformation u = r² to facilitate the calculation.

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Homework Statement



Consider an isotropic harmonic oscillator whose potential is given by V(r)=0.5kr^2. Calculate the value of r(t) for the orbit of a particle.


Homework Equations



dr/dt=[tex]\sqrt{2/m(E-0.5kr^2-L^2/2mr^2)}[/tex] (call the right side of the eqn 'stuff')



The Attempt at a Solution



I'm unable to solve the integral [tex]\int[/tex][tex]\frac{dr}{stuff}[/tex] as is.
I'm sure there's a subsitution or some other trick I can do to make the integral solvable but I can't figure it out =/
 
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Note that when you separate the equation, you'll get a fraction within a fraction:
[tex]\frac{\mathrm{d}r}{\sqrt{\cdots + A/r^2}} = \cdots[/tex]
It's usually a good idea to simplify such expressions like so:
[tex]\frac{\mathrm{d}r}{\sqrt{\frac{1}{r^2}(\cdots + A)}} = \cdots[/tex]
so that you're left with a regular polynomial times some overall factor. With a couple more steps, you can get that into a form where you can use the substitution [itex]u = r^2[/itex].
 

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