Question about schroedinger equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the process of transforming the time-dependent Schrödinger equation into its time-independent form. Participants explore various methods and techniques, particularly focusing on the separation of variables, and provide insights into the mathematical manipulations involved.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests assistance in solving the Schrödinger equation from the time-dependent to the time-independent form.
  • Another participant provides a detailed derivation using the separation of variables, starting from the time-dependent equation and assuming a separable solution.
  • A third participant outlines a general approach to separating variables, emphasizing the need to identify spatial and temporal components in the wavefunction.
  • Specific mathematical expressions and transformations are presented, including the introduction of constants and relationships between energy, potential, and wavefunctions.
  • Participants express gratitude for the contributions made by others in the thread.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no explicit consensus on a single method or approach, as participants present different perspectives and techniques for achieving the transformation. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple viewpoints expressed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants do not specify the particular scenario or boundary conditions for which they seek solutions, which may affect the applicability of the methods discussed. Additionally, there are references to mathematical steps that may require further clarification or validation.

hadi2003
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pliz help me how to solve the schroedinger equation from the time dependent to become the time independent?

thank you
 
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You'll have to excuse any Latex errors I haven't quite worked out what Tex this board uses yet. anyway:
[tex] $$<br /> \frac{{ - \hbar ^2 }}<br /> {{2m}}\frac{{\partial ^2 \Psi (x,t)}}<br /> {{\partial x^2 }} + V(x)\Psi (x,t) = i\hbar \frac{{\partial \Psi (x,t)}}<br /> {{\delta t}}<br /> $$<br /> <br /> \]<br /> [/tex]

Assume seperable:
[tex]$\Psi (x,t) = \psi (x)\phi (t)$[/tex]
Substitute:
[tex]$$<br /> $$<br /> \frac{{ - \hbar ^2 }}<br /> {{2m}}\frac{{\partial ^2 \psi (x)\phi (t)}}<br /> {{\partial x^2 }} + V(x)\Psi (x,t) = i\hbar \frac{{\partial \psi (x)\phi (t)}}<br /> {{\delta t}}<br /> $$<br /> [/tex]
Take terms out of x derivate that are t-dependent, and vice-versa - also divide by [tex]$\psi (x)\phi (t)$[/tex]:
[tex]$$<br /> {{ - \hbar ^2 } \over {2m}}{1 \over {\psi (x)}}{{\partial ^2 \psi (x)} \over {\partial x^2 }} + V(x) = i\hbar {1 \over {\phi (t)}}{{\partial \phi (t)} \over {\delta t}}<br /> $$[/tex]

Set each side equal to a costant:
[tex]$$<br /> \hbar i{1 \over {\phi (t)}}{{d\phi (t)} \over {dt}} = E<br /> $$[/tex]
This yields:
[tex]$$<br /> \phi = Ae^{ - i\omega t} <br /> $$[/tex]
The other equation, becomes (upon rearranging):
[tex]$\frac{{ - \hbar ^2 }}<br /> {{2m}}\frac{{d^2 \psi (x)}}<br /> {{dx^2 }} + V(x)\psi (X) = E\psi (x)$<br /> [/tex]
There is a quick sketc. However, it is a worthwhile problem to do yourself - separation of variables is a very useful technique!
 
Last edited:
Basic Separation of Variables

HI

You have not mentioned the situation for which you want the solution. So I am assuming that you are interested in getting the standard one,

[tex] \nabla^2 \psi + \frac{8\pi^{2}m}{h^{2}} (E-V)\psi = 0[/tex]

Here, E is the total particle energy, V is the potential energy, psi is the wavefunction for the particle, m is its mass, h is the Planck Constant.

Steps

We wish to write the wave equation for a particle, so generally, it is

[tex] \nabla^2 \psi = \frac{1}{v^{2}} \frac{\partial^2{\psi}}{\partial{t}^2}[/tex]

This is the starting point for all our computations. Now, in order to separate the time dependent parts (containing t) and the time-independent parts (containing x,y,z) we perform a technique called Separation of Variables. It is more generally used to solve partial differential equations.

We write the total wavefunction as a product of two wavefunctions--one dependent only on spatial coordinates (x,y,z) and not on time and the other dependent only on time and not on (x,y,z).

[tex] \psi_{(xyzt)} = \psi_{(xyz)}g(t)[/tex]

Now clearly g(t) must be solely time dependent, so for the sake of convenience, we usually write

[tex] g(t) = g_{0}e^{2 \pi i \nu t} \qquad \mbox{where i = \sqrt{-1}} \qquad \mbox{g_{0} = const.}[/tex]

Note that g(t) is the most general complex function depending only on time.

Substitute the (assumed) expression for the total wavefunction (including g(t) as a product) in the wave equation. Note that the laplacian is a space operator only (contains only space coordinates) and so g(t) remains unaffected by it. After a little bit of algebraic manipulations which should now be clear, you get

[tex] \nabla^{2}\psi_{(xyz)} = -\frac{4 \pi^{2}\nu^{2}}{v^{2}}\psi_{(xyz)}[/tex]

If the particle analog of the expression,

[tex] c = \lambda \nu[/tex]

that is,

[tex] v = \lambda \nu = \frac{h\nu}{p}[/tex]

is substituted for v in the above wave equation, it becomes

[tex] \nabla^{2}\psi_{(xyz)} = -\frac{4 \pi^{2}p^{2}}{h^{2}}\psi_{(xyz)}[/tex]

The linear momentum of the particle p, is related to the kinetic energy T as

[tex] T = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2} = \frac{p^{2}}{2m}[/tex]

Substituting for p into the equation and writing the kinetic energy T as (E-V) where E is the total energy of the particle and V is its potential energy, the wave equation becomes

[tex] \nabla^2 \psi + \frac{8\pi^{2}m}{h^{2}} (E-V)\psi = 0[/tex]

(This psi depends only on space coordinates, the (xyz) subscripts dropped.)

This is the time independent form of the Schroedinger Wave Equation. The algorithm for obtaining it is stated thus:

1. Consider the general wave equation in terms of the velocity of the particle.
2. Write the total wavefunction as a product of two wavefunctions, one containing space coordinates only and the other containing time only. Simply to remove the time dependence.
3. Use De-broglie's Relation to introduce particle character.
4. Write T in terms of p.
5. Replace T by E-V.
6. Bingo!

Hope that helps...

Cheers
Vivek
 
Last edited:
thank you maverick280857
 
thank you heardie
 

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