Find Momentum Operators for 1s Electron in Hydrogen Atom

In summary, in order to find < px >, < p >, and < p2 > for the 1s electron of a hydrogen atom, one must use the transformation to spherical coordinates and the chain rule to compute the derivatives. It is also helpful to refer to formulas already derived for the transformation of derivatives in Cartesian coordinates to spherical coordinates. However, the integral of Sec[θ] does not converge on {0, 2π}. Additionally, in determining ∂r/∂x, one must consider dr in the dy and dz equations as well, and ultimately arrive at the equation ∂r/∂x = x/r.
  • #1
leenaa
8
0
Find < px >,< p > and < p2 > for the 1s electron ofa hydrogen atom.

i am tried the solution but momentum operators Differential for x or y or z and the wave equation depends on the r !
 
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  • #2
You need to use the transformation to spherical coordinates and the chain rule to compute the derivatives. Also, it's very likely that your textbook discusses the transformation of derivatives in Cartesian coordinates to derivatives in spherical coordinates, so you might find some useful formulas already derived for you.
 
  • #3
Thank you very much

http://img104.herosh.com/2010/11/18/211847127.jpg"


But the show of the integral of Sec[\[Theta]] does not converge on {0,2 \[Pi]}
Is this true!
 
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  • #4
You can't just determine [tex]\partial r/\partial x[/tex] by considering dx alone, since dr appears in the dy and dz equations as well. You can however compute

[tex]\frac{\partial r}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial }{\partial x} \sqrt{x^2 + y^2 + z^2} = \frac{x}{r}.[/tex]

Therefore

[tex] \frac{\partial}{\partial x} = \sin\theta \cos \phi \frac{\partial}{\partial r} + \text{angular derivs}. [/tex]
 
  • #5
Thank you very much
Clearer idea
 

1. What is the concept of momentum in quantum mechanics?

Momentum in quantum mechanics is a physical quantity that describes the motion of a particle. It is related to the velocity of the particle and can be thought of as the measure of how much force is needed to change the particle's motion.

2. How is momentum operator defined in quantum mechanics?

The momentum operator in quantum mechanics is represented by the symbol p and is defined as the derivative of the wave function with respect to the position of the particle. It is a vector operator and has both magnitude and direction.

3. What is the significance of finding momentum operators for 1s electron in a hydrogen atom?

The 1s electron in a hydrogen atom is in its ground state, and its momentum operators can provide information about the electron's motion and energy. This is crucial for understanding the behavior of electrons in atoms and molecules, which has many practical applications in physics and chemistry.

4. How is the momentum operator for 1s electron in a hydrogen atom derived?

The momentum operator for 1s electron in a hydrogen atom is derived using the Schrödinger equation and the Hamiltonian operator. It involves finding the derivative of the wave function with respect to the position coordinates and applying the appropriate operators for the kinetic and potential energy terms.

5. How does the momentum operator for 1s electron in a hydrogen atom affect the uncertainty principle?

The momentum operator for 1s electron in a hydrogen atom is an example of an operator that does not commute with the position operator. This means that the more precisely we know the position of the electron, the less precisely we can know its momentum, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

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