[coupled harmonic oscillators] old thread- need elaboration

rsaad

Hi
Can someone please explain the answer to the following thread? I tried uncoupling the Hamiltonian but to no avail.

http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=602106

Thank you.

mfb

Did you try the proposed rotation?

##x'=\cos(\alpha)x + \sin(\alpha)y##, ##y'=-\sin(\alpha)x + \cos(\alpha)y##

Where α has to be determined to uncouple the Hamiltonian.

rsaad

Yes i tried but I am still getting xy term

mfb

You could show your work here, this would help to find the error.