Particle Mass m in Cube Box: Density of Eigenstates

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a particle of mass m confined in a cubic box of length L, focusing on its energy spectrum and the calculation of the density of states (eigenstates per unit energy interval). The energy spectrum is expressed in terms of quantum numbers nx, ny, and nz, which represent the eigenvalues associated with the particle's states.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the nature of the quantum numbers as eigenstates and consider the counting of combinations of these numbers that yield the same energy. Questions arise regarding the possibilities for higher energy levels and the behavior of energy differences as the quantum numbers increase.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the counting problem and the relationship between energy levels and quantum states. There is an acknowledgment of the need to determine the number of degenerate states for each energy level and how to derive the density of states from this information. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly regarding the behavior of the density of states at different energy levels.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential confusion regarding the notation used for eigenstates and the implications of counting states based on energy levels. There is also mention of the need to consider the spherical symmetry of the energy levels in the context of density calculations.

aura
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Consider particle of mass m in a cubic box of length L which has energy spectrum given by E=(k sqr)/2m =2 (pi sqr) (nx sqr+ ny sqr +nz sqr)/m (L sqr).what will be the density of states (eigen states per unit energy interval)

k is Boltzmann const..nx,ny,nz are unit vectors in resp. directions...
 
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aura said:
Consider particle of mass m in a cubic box of length L which has energy spectrum given by E=(k sqr)/2m =2 (pi sqr) (nx sqr+ ny sqr +nz sqr)/m (L sqr).what will be the density of states (eigen states per unit energy interval)

k is Boltzmann const..nx,ny,nz are unit vectors in resp. directions...

Aren't the n values the eigenstates with n_j = 1,2,3...?

This looks to be a counting problem to find the number of combinations of the three n values leading to the same sum of squares. Clearly, for the lowest energy there is only one. After that, what are the possibilities, and what happens to the difference between energy levels as the n values increase?
 
OlderDan said:
Aren't the n values the eigenstates with n_j = 1,2,3...?

This looks to be a counting problem to find the number of combinations of the three n values leading to the same sum of squares. Clearly, for the lowest energy there is only one. After that, what are the possibilities, and what happens to the difference between energy levels as the n values increase?

oops! a big printing mistake...thats eigen vector...nx,ny,nz

now can u solve this at least the explanation...
 
aura said:
oops! a big printing mistake...thats eigen vector...nx,ny,nz

now can u solve this at least the explanation...
[tex]E_{n_x,n_y,n_z} = \left[\frac{2\ \pi^2}{mL^2}\right] \left[n_x^2+n_y^2+n_z^2\right][/tex]

[tex]E_{1,1,1} = \left[\frac{2\ \pi^2}{mL^2}\right] \left[3\right][/tex]

[tex]E_{2,1,1} = E_{1,2,1} = E_{1,1,2} = \left[\frac{2\ \pi^2}{mL^2}\right] \left[6\right][/tex]

[tex]E_{2,2,1} = E_{2,1,2} = E_{1,2,2} = \left[\frac{2\ \pi^2}{mL^2}\right] \left[9\right][/tex]

[tex]E_{3,1,1} = E_{1,3,1} = E_{1,1,3} = \left[\frac{2\ \pi^2}{mL^2}\right] \left[11\right][/tex]

[tex]E_{2,2,2} = \left[\frac{2\ \pi^2}{mL^2}\right] \left[12\right][/tex]

[tex]E_{1,2,3} = E_{1,3,2} = E_{2,1,3} = E_{2,3,1} = E_{3,1,2} = E_{3,2,1} = \left[\frac{2\ \pi^2}{mL^2}\right] \left[14\right][/tex]

etc, etc.

I believe you are supposed to be figuring out all possible energies and how many degenerate states there are for each energy, and then divide the number of states by some energy interval to find the density. Unless I have missed some, the density is a bit erratic for these low numbered states. For larger n, perhaps you can come up with a general expression for how many states there are between some energy E and and a slightly higher level to come up with a number of states per unit energy interval. The sum of squares is suggestive that thinking in terms of the number of states contained within a spherical energy surface might prove helpful.
 
Last edited:
thanks for trying it out ...

i will try to solve it...


thanks!
 

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