Refer to a particle of massdescribed by the wave function

ψ(x)={2a3xe-axX>00X<0

Verify that the normalization constant2a3 is correct.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The integral of the square of the wave function over all the space is properly normalized. The normalization constant is indeed equal to 2a3.

Step by step solution

01

Concept of wave function

Ψ(x,t)=Acos(kx-wt)is the general equation for a moving wave.The amplitude is equal to A. The wavelength is determined by multiplying k by x, and the location of the peak is determined by t.

02

Equals the wave function to 1.

The area under the square of the wave function is equal to 1 if the wave function is properly normalized.

1=-Ψ(x)·(x)dx

=-00dx+04a3x2e-2axdx

=4a30x2e-2axdx

=-e-2ax(2a2x2+2ax+10

03

Verify the normalization constant

We need to take the limit as xapproaches and the limit as xapproaches 0.

limx(-e-2ax2a2x2+2ax+1)=(0limx2a2x2+2ax+1)=0

limx(-e-2ax(2a2x2+2ax+1))=((-1)(2a2x2+2ax+1))=1

By evaluating the integral using the limits, we get:

-Ψ(x)·(x)dx=0-(-1)

=1

Hence, the integral of the square of the wave function over all the space is properly normalized. The normalization constant is indeed equal to role="math" localid="1656109477459" 2a3.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

It is possible to take the finite well wave functions further than (21) without approximation, eliminating all but one normalization constant C . First, use the continuity/smoothness conditions to eliminate A, B , andG in favor of Cin (21). Then make the change of variables z=x-L/2 and use the trigonometric relations

sin(a+b)=sinacosb+cosasinband

cos(a+b)=cosacosb-sinasinbon the

functions in region I, -L/2<z<L/2. The change of variables shifts the problem so that it is symmetric about z=0, which requires that the probability density be symmetric and thus that ψ(z)be either an odd or even function of z. By comparing the region II and region III functions, argue that this in turn demands that (α/k)sinkL+coskL must be either +1 (even) or -1 (odd). Next, show that these conditions can be expressed, respectively, as αk=tankL2 and αk=-cotkL2. Finally, plug these separately back into the region I solutions and show that

ψ(z)=C×{eα(z+L/2)          z<L/2coskzcoskL2          -L/2<z<L/2e-α(z-L/2)          z>L/2


or

ψ(z)=C×{eα(z+L/2)          z<L/2-sinkzsinkL2          -L/2<z<L/2e-α(z-L/2)          z>L/2

Note that Cis now a standard multiplicative normalization constant. Setting the integral of |ψ(z)|2 over all space to 1 would give it in terms of kand α , but because we can’t solve (22) exactly for k(or E), neither can we obtain an exact value for C.

Under what circumstance does the integral x0xbdxdiverge? Use this to argue that a physically acceptable wave function must fall to 0 faster than|x|1/2 does as xgets large.

The figure shows a potential energy function.

(a) How much energy could a classical particle have and still be bound?

(b) Where would an unbound particle have its maximum kinetic energy?

(c) For what range of energies might a classical particle be bound in either of two different regions?

(d) Do you think that a quantum mechanical particle with energy in the range referred to in part?

(e) Would be bound in one region or the other? Explain.

What is the product of uncertainties determined in Exercise 60 and 61? Explain.

The harmonic oscillator potential energy is proportional to x2, and the energy levels are equally spaced:

En(n+12). The energy levels in the infinite well become farther apart as energy increases: Enn2.Because the functionlimb|x/L|bis 0 for|x|<Land infinitely large for|x|>L. the infinite well potential energy may be thought of as proportional to |x|.

How would you expect energy levels to be spaced in a potential well that is (a) proportional to |x|1and (b) proportional to -|x|-1? For the harmonic oscillator and infinite well. the number of bound-state energies is infinite, and arbitrarily large bound-state energies are possible. Are these characteristics shared (c) by the |x|1well and (d) by the-|x|-1well? V

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