A particle in the infinite square well has as its initial wave function an even mixture of the first two stationary states:

Ψ(x,0)=A[ψ1(x)+ψ2(x)]

You can look up the series

116+136+156+=π6960

and

114+134+154+=π496

in math tables. under "Sums of Reciprocal Powers" or "Riemann Zeta Function."

(a) Normalize Ψ(x,0) . (That is, find A. This is very easy, if you exploit the orthonormality of ψ1and ψ2 Recall that, having ψnormalized at , t=0 , you can rest assured that is stays normalized—if you doubt this, check it explicitly after doing part(b).

(b) Find Ψ(x,t)and |Ψ(x,t)|2Express the latter as a sinusoidal function of time. To simplify the result, let ωπ22ma2

c)Compute x . Notice that it oscillates in time. What is the angular frequency of the oscillation? What is the amplitude of the oscillation?(If your amplitude is greater than a2 , go directly to jail.

(d) Compute p

(e) If you measured the energy of this particle, what values might you get, and what is the probability of getting each of them? Find the expectation value ofH.How does it compare with E1 and E2

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a) The value of ψ(x,0)is A=12

(b) The value as a sinusoidal function of ψ(x,t)is eintasinπxa+sin2πxae3etand of |ψ(x,t)|2is 1asin2πxa+sin22πxa+2sinπxasin2πxa(cos3ωt)

(c) The value of xis a21329π2cos(3ωt)amplitude is 329π2a2and angular frequency is 3π2h2ma2.

(d) The value of pis 8h3asin(3ωt)

(e) The required comparison isE1<H<E2

Step by step solution

01

Concept

A wave function is a mathematical function that connects the location of an electron in space (defined by x, y, and z coordinates) to the amplitude of its wave, which corresponds to the energy of the electron.

02

Determine the normalization of  ψ(x,0)

(a)

Consider that

ψ(x,0)=A[ψ1(x)+ψ2(x)]|ψ|2=|A|2[(ψ1*+ψ2*)(ψ1+ψ2)]=|A|2[|ψ1|2+|ψ2|2+ψ1*ψ2+ψ2*1]

Normalization condition is,

|ψ|2dx=1|A|2(|ψ1|2+|ψ2|2+ψ1*ψ2+ψ2*ψ1)dx=1n

The ψ1and ψ2 are orthonormal states,

|ψ1|2dx=1and |ψ2|2dx=1

And

ψ1*ψ2dx=0and ψ2*ψ1dx=0

|A|2(2)=1A=12

Therefore, the normalization of ψ(x,0)isA=12

03

Find the value of  ψ(x,t) and |ψ(x,t)|2can also express them as a sinusoidal time function.

(b)

The expression for

ψ(x,t)=12ψ1eEttn+ψ2eE,tn

Let En=n2ω

E1=ω

And,

E2=4ω

Where, ω=π22ma2

So now have an endless square well utilising the wave function.

ψn=2asinnπxaψ(x,t)=122asinπxaeiθt+2asin2πxaeiifex=122asinπxaeiθt+sin2πxaeitat=1aeiexsinπxa+sin2πxae3iex

Further solving above equation,

|ψ(x,t)|2=1asinπxa+sin2πxae3sitsinπxa+sin2πxae3ses|ψ(x,t)|2=1asin2πxa+sin22πxa+sinπxasin2πxa[e3sin+e3sin]|ψ(x,t)|2=1asin2πxa+sin22πxa+2sinπxasin2πxa(cos3ωt)

Hence, the value as a sinusoidal function of ψ(x,t)is

esantasinπxa+sin2πxae3ettand of|ψ(x,t)|2is1asin2πxa+sin22πxa+2sinπxasin2πxa(cos3ωt)

04

The angular frequency of oscillation and the amplitude of oscillation are determined by the value of x

(c)

The expression for x

x=x|ψ(x,t)|2dx

Now,

<x>=x|ψ(x,t)|2dx=1a0axsin2πxa+sin22πxa+2cos(3ωt)sinπxasin2πxadx

Solving individual term as,

0axsin2πxa=0ax1cos2πxa2=120axxcos2πxadx=12x22xsin2πxa2πacos2πxa4π2a2|0a=x24xsin2πxa4πacos2πxa8π2a20a=a2400=a24

xsin2nπxa=a24,This is independent of nωt

So, there you have,

0axsin2nπxa=0axsin22πxa=a24

Now,

0axsinπxasin2πxadx2cos(3ωt)dx=2cos(3ωt)0axsinπxasin2πxadx

Substitute 2sinAsinB=cos(AB)cos(A+B), in the above integral

0axsinπxasin2πxadx2cos(3ωt)dx=cos(3ωt)0axcosπxacos3πxadx=cos(3ωt)xsinπxaπa+a2π2cosπxaxsin3πxa3πaa29π2cos3πxa=cos(3ωt)2a2π2+2a29π2=cos(3ωt)2a2π2119=cos(3ωt)16a29π2

Replace these values in the integral above.

<x>=1aa24+a2416a29π2cos3ωt<x>=a21329π2cos(3ωt)

This is a function that oscillates.

Amplitude =329π2a2

Angular frequency =3ω

=3π22ma2

Therefore, the value ofxis a21329π2cos(3ωt), amplitude is329π2a2and angular frequency is3π2h2ma2.

05

Determine the value of p

(d)

The expression forp

p=mdxdt

Insert a21329π2cos(3ωt)for xin respective equation

p=mddta21329π2cos(3ωt)=ma2329π2sin(3ωt)3ω=16maω3π2sin3ωt

Substitute π2h2ma2 for xin respective equation

p=mddta21329π2cos(3ωt)=ma2329π2sin(3ωt)3ω=16maω3π2sin3ωt

Substitute π2h2ma2for ωin equation (7).

p=16ma3π2π2h2ma2sin(3ωt)=8h3asin(3ωt)

Thus, the value of pis8h3asin(3ωt)

06

The particle's energy, the chances of acquiring each one, the expected value of H, and its relationship with E1and E2

(e)

Consider that En=n2π222ma2

E1=π222ma2,   E2=2π22ma2

Since ψ(x,0)=A[ψ1(x)+ψ2(x)]

The probability of E1 and E2 is equal, and the total probability is 1, so

P1=P2=12

<H>=12(E1+E2)=12π222ma2+4π222ma2=125π222ma2=5π224ma2

Therefore,

E1<H<E2

Thus, the value of energies areπ2h22ma2and2π2h2ma2,their probability of occurrence is12for both, the value of H is5π2h24ma2and its comparison with E1andE2 isE1<H<E2.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Solve the time-independent Schrodinger equation with appropriate boundary conditions for the “centered” infinite square well: V(x)=0(for-a<x<+a), V(x)=α(otherwise). Check that your allowed energies are consistent with mine (Equation 2.30), and confirm that your ψ'scan be obtained from mine (Equation 2.31) by the substitution x → (x + a)/2 (and appropriate renormalization). Sketch your first three solutions, and compare Figure 2.2. Note that the width of the well is now 2a.

Show that E must be exceed the minimum value of V(x) ,for every normalizable solution to the time independent Schrodinger equation what is classical analog to this statement?

d2Ψdx2=2mh2[V(x)E]Ψ;

IfE<Vmin thenΨ and its second derivative always have the same sign. Is it normalized?

Calculate (x),(x2),(p),(p2),σxandσp,for the nth stationary state of the infinite square well. Check that the uncertainty principle is satisfied. Which state comes closest to the uncertainty limit?

If two (or more) distinct44solutions to the (time-independent) Schrödinger equation have the same energy E . These states are said to be degenerate. For example, the free particle states are doubly degenerate-one solution representing motion to the right. And the other motion to the left. But we have never encountered normalizable degenerate solutions, and this is no accident. Prove the following theorem: In one dimension45 there are no degenerate bound states. Hint: Suppose there are two solutions, ψ1and ψ2with the same energy E. Multiply the Schrödinger equation for ψ1by ψ2and the Schrödinger equation for ψ2by ψ1and subtract, to show that ψ2dψ1/dx-ψ2dψ1/dxis a constant. Use the fact that for normalizable solutions ψ0at±to demonstrate that this constant is in fact zero.Conclude that ψ2s a multiple of ψ1and hence that the two solutions are not distinct.

Consider the double delta-function potentialV(x)=-α[δx+a+δx-a]Whereand are positive constants

(a) Sketch this potential.

(b) How many bound states does it possess? Find the allowed energies, forα=ħ/maand forα=ħ2/4ma, and sketch the wave functions.

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