- #1
siifuthun
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I think I'm on the right track for this problem, but I'm not entirely sure.
Find the solutions to the one-dimensional infinite square well when the potential extends from -a/2 to +a/2 instead of 0 to +a. Is the potential invariant with respect to parity? Are the wave functions? Discuss the assignment off odd and even parity to the solution
So the wave functions should look the same as if it was an infinite square well going from 0 to +a, except it's going from -a/2 to a/2, so the parity should be exactly the same, right? V(x) = infinity at x< -a/2 and when x> a/2.
So I tried solving for the Schrodinger equation using:
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4013/03bp1.jpg
And we know that at -a/2 and a/2, the wavefunction must be equal to 0. We also know that for energy level E_1, where n=2, there's a node right at x=0, so the wavefunction must also equal 0 at x = 0 for that case. So:
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4408/04ya7.jpg
So we know from above that B=0, plugging that into equation we get:
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/5520/05ep7.jpg
Now here's my problem, when I try to solve this, I get:
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5769/06vs2.jpg
Which is a problem, since it means A=0. Am I wrong in my assumption that the wavefunction for E_1 state is 0 at x=0?
Find the solutions to the one-dimensional infinite square well when the potential extends from -a/2 to +a/2 instead of 0 to +a. Is the potential invariant with respect to parity? Are the wave functions? Discuss the assignment off odd and even parity to the solution
So the wave functions should look the same as if it was an infinite square well going from 0 to +a, except it's going from -a/2 to a/2, so the parity should be exactly the same, right? V(x) = infinity at x< -a/2 and when x> a/2.
So I tried solving for the Schrodinger equation using:
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4013/03bp1.jpg
And we know that at -a/2 and a/2, the wavefunction must be equal to 0. We also know that for energy level E_1, where n=2, there's a node right at x=0, so the wavefunction must also equal 0 at x = 0 for that case. So:
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4408/04ya7.jpg
So we know from above that B=0, plugging that into equation we get:
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/5520/05ep7.jpg
Now here's my problem, when I try to solve this, I get:
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5769/06vs2.jpg
Which is a problem, since it means A=0. Am I wrong in my assumption that the wavefunction for E_1 state is 0 at x=0?
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