wave function problem

Gregg

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The function

[latex] \Psi(r) = A(2-{Zr\over a})e^-{Zr\over 2a} [/latex]

gives the form of the quantum mechanical wavefunction representing the electron
in a hydrogen-like atom of atomic number Z when the electron is in its first
allowed spherically symmetric excited state. Here r is the usual spherical polar
coordinate, but, because of the spherical symmetry, the coordinates θ and φ do
not appear explicitly in Ψ. Determine the value that A (assumed real) must have
if the wavefunction is to be correctly normalised, i.e. the volume integral of |Ψ|^2
over all space is equal to unity.


3. The attempt at a solution

[latex] {\int \int \int}_R |\Psi|^2 dV = 1[/latex]

[latex] \int _0^{\infty }\int _0^{2\pi }\int _0^{\pi }A^2e^{-\frac{Zr}{a}} \left(2-\frac{Zr}{a}\right)^2d\phi d\theta dr = 1[/latex]

Which implies

[latex] \int _0^{\infty }A^2e^{-\frac{\text{Zr}}{a}} \left(2-\frac{\text{Zr}}{a}\right)^2dr = {1\over 2\pi^2}[/latex]

This turns out to be

[latex] \frac{2aA^2}{Z} = \frac{1}{2\pi^2} [/latex]

[latex] A = \pm \frac{\sqrt{\frac{z}{a}}}{2\pi} [/latex]

This is wrong though?
Is the problem the fact that Psi(r) isnt a function of theta or phi?

Päällikkö

Looks to me you forgot the r² sin term from the differential volume element (note that the way you did it, the volume of a unit ball would come out as 2pi²). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spheric...rdinate_system