Can the Hydrogen Wavefunction Be Normalized?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the normalization of the wavefunction for a hydrogen atom in a specific state at time t=0. The original poster presents a wavefunction and poses questions about its normalization and the implications of measuring angular momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to express the wavefunction in terms of hydrogen eigenstates and questions the normalization condition, suggesting that the assumption about the coefficient A being real may lead to inconsistencies.
  • Some participants question the calculations and suggest that there may be a mistake in the coefficients, particularly regarding the normalization condition.
  • Others propose that a potential typo in the original wavefunction could affect the normalization outcome.
  • Further discussions involve expressing the wavefunction in terms of radial and angular components, and the implications of measuring Lz on the state of the system.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored regarding the normalization of the wavefunction. Some participants have offered corrections and alternative approaches, but there is no explicit consensus on the normalization issue or the correctness of the original poster's assumptions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the normalization condition relies on the coefficients derived from the eigenstates, and there is a suggestion that additional information may be required for a complete normalization. The discussion also highlights the importance of the measurement of Lz and its effect on the state of the system.

natugnaro
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Homework Statement


At time t=0 hydrogen atom is in state

[tex]\psi(r,0)=\frac{4}{(2a)^{3/2}}[e^{-r/a}+iA\frac{r}{a}e^{-r/2a}(-iY^{1}_{1}+Y^{-1}_{1}+\sqrt{7}Y^{0}_{1})][/tex]

a) Is it possible to normalize wave function ?
b) Find [tex]\psi(r,t)[/tex] if at time t=0 measuring [tex]L_{z}[/tex] we find [tex]\hbar[/tex]

Homework Equations






The Attempt at a Solution



a)
Using eigenstates of hydrogen I can write[tex]\psi(r,0)[/tex] as
[tex]\psi(r,0) = \frac{4\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{^3/2}}\varphi_{100} + 4\sqrt{3}A\varphi_{211}-4\sqrt{21}Ai\varphi_{210}-4\sqrt{3}Ai\varphi_{21-1}[/tex]

Normalization condition [tex]\sum|c_{n}|=1[/tex] gives me [tex]A^{2}=\frac{1-2\pi}{432}[/tex] or [tex]A=\sqrt{\frac{2\pi-1}{432}}i[/tex] , but this does not satisfy normalization condition since I assumed that A is real.
I could assume that A is complex, but then I would get two unknowns (A=x+iy).
So I would say that it is not possible to normalize wave function.
If my answer is correct can someone explain this to me on practical example, do I need more information for normalizing ? where do I get it ? by measurment ?
 
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I didn't check your numbers, but you must have made a mistake somewhere.
Your coefficient for \phi_110 has to be less than 1.
 
The problem statement is an exact copy. Multiplying eigenstates by my coefficients I can get starting state.
But if the first term in parenthesis is [tex]\frac{e^{-r/a}}{\sqrt{4\pi}}[/tex] instead of [tex]e^{-r/a}[/tex] wave function can be normalized, [tex]A=\frac{1}{\sqrt{864}}[/tex]
Maybe it is just a typo error.
 
Hi liorda , here is my solution:
Correcting some +/- signs and assuming that the first term in parenthesis is as I stated.
First multiply eigenstates of hydrogen by this constants:
[tex]\varphi_{100}*(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}})[/tex]
[tex]\varphi_{211}*(4\sqrt{3}A)[/tex]
[tex]\varphi_{21-1}*(4\sqrt{3}Ai)[/tex]
[tex]\varphi_{210}*(4\sqrt{21}Ai)[/tex]

now we can write starting wave function as linear combination of hydrogen eigenstates:

[tex]\psi(r,0) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\varphi_{100} + 4\sqrt{3}A\varphi_{211}+4\sqrt{21}Ai\varphi_{210}+4\sqrt{3}Ai\varphi_{21-1}[/tex]

Normalization:
[tex]\left|\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right|^{2}+\left|4\sqrt{3}A\right|^{2}+\left|4\sqrt{21}Ai\right|^{2}+\left|4\sqrt{3}Ai\right|^{2}=1[/tex]
gives A=1/sqrt(864)

b)
You can write hydrogen eigenstates as radial part multiplied by spherical harmonics:
[tex]\varphi_{nlm}=R_{nl}(r)*Y^{m}_{l}(\theta,\phi)[/tex]

so using this we can write Psi(r,0) as:

[tex]\psi(r,0) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}R_{10}*Y^{0}_{0} + 4\sqrt{3}AR_{21}*Y^{1}_{1}+4\sqrt{21}AiR_{21}*Y^{0}_{1}+4\sqrt{3}AiR_{21}*Y^{-1}_{1}[/tex]

In spherical harmonics [tex]Y^{m}_{l}(\theta,\phi)[/tex] m is integer value of [tex]\hbar[/tex] ([tex]m=-1*\hbar, 0*\hbar, 1*\hbar[/tex]) you can obitain by measurment of Lz.
By measuring Lz system is left in eigenstate of operator Lz.
Since measurment gives [tex]L_{z}=\hbar[/tex] , system is left in state:
[tex]\psi(r,0) = 4\sqrt{3}AR_{21}*Y^{1}_{1}[/tex]
Now i'ts easy to find Psi(r,t) , just multiply Psi(r,0) by Exp(-i*E2*t/(hbar)).
E2 is because energy is determined by principal quantum number , which is 2 in this case.
(in Dirac notation state is written as |nlm> , so our state is |211>) .
Again this is my own solution, I don't have the "official" solution.
 
natugnaro said:
In spherical harmonics [tex]Y^{m}_{l}(\theta,\phi)[/tex] m is integer value of [tex]\hbar[/tex] ([tex]m=-1*\hbar, 0*\hbar, 1*\hbar[/tex]) you can obitain by measurment of Lz.

correction:
In spherical harmonics [tex]Y^{m}_{l}(\theta,\phi)[/tex] m=-l,...,0,...,+l.
Since l=1 => m=-1,0,1 , possible values for measurment of Lz are Lz=-hbar,0,+hbar
 

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