- #1
lion8172
- 29
- 0
ground states
Is it generally true that the ground state of a given quantum system corresponds to the lowest quantum numbers? For instance, is it generally true that the ground state of a system governed by a radial potential always corresponds to l=0? If not, how do we know, in particular, that the ground state of the finite, 3-D potential well corresponds to l=0? Griffiths seems to implicitly assume this fact in one of his problems (4.9): "Find the ground state (of the 3-D finite spherical well) by solving the radial equation with l=0."
Homework Statement
Is it generally true that the ground state of a given quantum system corresponds to the lowest quantum numbers? For instance, is it generally true that the ground state of a system governed by a radial potential always corresponds to l=0? If not, how do we know, in particular, that the ground state of the finite, 3-D potential well corresponds to l=0? Griffiths seems to implicitly assume this fact in one of his problems (4.9): "Find the ground state (of the 3-D finite spherical well) by solving the radial equation with l=0."
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Last edited: