A hydrogen atom electron is in a 2p state. If no experiment has been done to establish a z-component of angular momentum, the atom is equally likely to be found with any allowed value of LZ. Show that if the probability densities for these different possible states are added (with equal weighting), the result is independent of both ϕandθ

Short Answer

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The probability densities for these different possible states are independent of ϕandθ

Step by step solution

01

 Angular momentum

Angular momentum is defined as the product of the angular velocity and its moment of inertia.

02

 Given data

The state of the hydrogen atom is 2p.

03

Show the probability densities are independent of and

We already know that the probability density does not depend on the azimuthal angleφ. In the absence of information about the z−component of angular momentum it is equally likely that the electron would have any of the allowed values. Adding the angular probability densities with equal weights, we have

Θ1.0(θ)+Θ1.+1(θ)+Θ1.-1(θ)=34πcosθ2+38πsinθ2+38πsinθ2=34πcos2θ+238πsin2θ=34π

Where,θ = colatitude angle,ϕ = azimuth angle

This has no dependence on either ϕorθ

This is clear that the above-mentioned expression is independent of θandϕ

Hence, the probability densities for these different possible states are independent of ϕand θ

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