If the constantCxinequation(7-5)were positive, the general mathematical solution would be

Ae+cxx+Be-cxx

Show that this function cannot be 0 at two points. This makes it an unacceptable solution for the infinite well, since it cannot be continuous with the wave functions outside the walls, which are 0.

Short Answer

Expert verified

This is possible only ifx1=x2 . (i.e., only one point) but this assumption does not happen in general cases. Thus, this is quite a contradiction to the assumption that the function is zero at two different pointsx1 and x2.

Step by step solution

01

Given data

The solution is:

Ae+cxx+Be-cxx

02

To determine the function Ae+cxx+Be-cxx cannot be zero at two points

The infinity well problem is one of the important problems in quantum mechanics that help us to understand other phenomena.

The wave function outside the well is zero.

The given solution is:

Ae+cxx+Be-cxx

It can also be written as:

Aexp+cxx+Bexp-cxx

These equations at two points x1,x2can be written as:

role="math" localid="1659763359765" Aexp+cxx1+Bexp-cxx1Aexp+cxx2+Bexp-cxx2

Solve each equation for B/A as:

role="math" localid="1659763407252" BA=exp2cxx1BA=exp2cxx2

From the above two expressions, we can conclude that,

exp2cxx2=exp2cxx1

03

Conclusion

This is possible only ifx1=x2 . (i.e., only one point) but this assumption does not happen in general cases. Thus, this is quite a contradiction to the assumption that the function is zero at two different pointsx1 and x2.

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