Re: new problem

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>]

Nice problem, John. I solved it on paper, but my ASCII
translation quota is used up for the day, and I just can't do
justice to graphics. There is one part of the problem I want
to comment on, however.

> A body of mass m is constrained to move freely along the positive x-axis.
> Its potential energy is given by
>
> 	U(x) = ax^2 + b/x^2
>
> a) Sketch a plot of U(x).

hard for small x, softer for large x.

> b) Find the period for small oscillations about the stable equilibrium
> position.
>
> c) Sketch a reasonably accurate plot of x(t) for very large oscillations.
>
> d) Use the insight gained from your sketch in part c to find an
> approximate value for the period of very large oscillations.
>
> e) Discuss and explore the suggestive results of parts b and d.

This is the part I wanted to comment on. That plot d) is only
suggestive to a warped mind. Shame on you, John, and concentrate
on improving your technique!

Leigh