# Simple Harmonic Motion

1. Sep 17, 2009

### Void123

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A particle of mass m moves in the one dimensional Poschel-Teller potential $$V(x)$$. Find an expression for the natural frequency of small oscillations.

2. Relevant equations

$$V(x) = -V_{0}sech^{2}(x/\lambda)$$

3. The attempt at a solution

I am making the uncertain assumption that this would be the angular frequency. But, I do not know how to derive it based on just the potential alone. I have tried to determine the period as well, graphically, but this function doesn't seem to be the type associated with normal periodic motion.

2. Sep 17, 2009

### kuruman

The potential that you have is not a harmonic potential, however any potential that is an even function can be expanded in Taylor series about its minimum and will have a leading term that is quadratic in x. The words "small oscillations" is a hint that you need to make this expansion. First plot your potential to make sure that it has a minimum, then expand about x = 0. Ignore the constant, that's the "zero of energy". The leading term will be

$$\frac{1}{2}\;\frac{d^{2}V}{dx^{2}}\big|_{x=0}\;x^{2}$$

That's a term that can be related to a harmonic potential of the form

$$\frac{1}{2}\;kx^{2}$$

whose frequency you can easily extract from the effective spring constant k.

3. Sep 18, 2009

### Void123

I figured it out. Thanks!

But just one tiny question, if the leading term is going to be a quadratic, then the original expansion has to be out to the fourth power?

Last edited: Sep 18, 2009
4. Sep 18, 2009

### Void123

I must not be doing something right, the whole thing went to zero.

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