Classical mechaincs problem (weird one)

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The forum discussion centers on a classical mechanics problem involving a particle of mass m traveling in a one-dimensional potential defined as V=V_0 tg^2(αr). The main confusion arises from the interpretation of the variables, particularly whether 't' represents time and the meaning of 'g^2' as a function of 'αr'. The user also notes that the problem does not appear in standard mechanics texts such as Goldstein's Mechanics or Landau-Lifshitz. Ultimately, it is clarified that 'tg' refers to the tangent function, which was misinterpreted due to formatting.

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Ahmes
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Hi,
I've been given a homework question I don't even know what it means:
A particle mass m travels in a one dimensional potential [tex]V=V_0 t g^2 (\alpha r)[/tex]. Find its period.
This is the question exactly as it appears. Now, can t be time? We haven't even touched time-dependent potentials (it's an undergraduate course).
Also, is [tex]g^2[/tex] a function of [tex]\alpha r[/tex]? and what does [tex]\alpha r[/tex] mean? (my guess is distance from the center*constant).

Most of our homework questions are taken (with some variation) from either Goldstein's Mechanics book or the Landau-Lif****z one [COME ON! THE BOOK'S NAME IS LANDAU-LIFSHI&Z (&=T)], but in neither could I locate any question similar to that. Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Well it appears that "tg" is actually the tangent function - Those idiots (can I say idiots?) used italic script so I was certain they ment 't' and 'g' as variables. Beside no one uses "tg" as tangent in printed/electronic media
 
So do you still need help?
 

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