Central potential in quantum mechanics

Bavon
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Hi all,
I'm new to his forum. I'm having trouble with the following question on central potentials. It's an exercise from (Bransden and Joachain, Introduction to quantum mechanics).

Homework Statement


Suppose V(r) is a central potential, expand around r=0 as V(r)=r^p(b_0+b_1r+\ldots). When p=-2 and b_0&lt;0[\tex], show that physically acceptable solutions exist only when b_0&amp;gt;-\frac{\hbar}{8\mu}<br /> <br /> <br /> <h2>Homework Equations</h2><br /> R(r) is the radial component of the wave function<br /> u(r)=r^{-1}R(r)=r^s\sum{c_kr^k} is a solution of<br /> -\frac{\hbar^2}{2\mu}\frac{d^2u(r)}{dr^2}+V_{eff}u(r)=Eu(r)<br /> <br /> <br /> <h2>The Attempt at a Solution</h2><br /> The effective potential is r^{-2}(b_0+\frac{l(l+2)\hbar^2}{2\mu}+b_1r+\ldots)<br /> <br /> When p&gt;-2, the case that is discussed in the textbook, they compare the lowest order terms in the radial Schroedinger equation. For p=-2, I get:<br /> <br /> The lowest order term of \frac{d^2u}{dr^2}=s(s-1)r^{s-2}\sum{c_kr^k}<br /> The lowest order term of V_{eff}(r)u(r)=(b_0+\frac{l(l+2)\hbar^2}{2\mu})r^{s-2}\sum{c_kr^k}<br /> <br /> The difference is apparently that b_0 appears in the lowest order terms.<br /> <br /> Now I need some constraint that excludes non-physical solutions. For p&gt;-2, that is u(0)=0. But for b_0&amp;lt;0 that can&#039;t be used. Because the potential is attracting, I think the probability of finding a particle at the origin should be positive. The problem is I can&#039;t think of any constraint that should be imposed, that could limit the allowed values of b_0.<br /> <br /> Any hints would be greatly appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I solved this myself. It was so easy after all!
 
Dear Bavon
Would u please help me to solve this problem too?
thanks
I am looking forward for ur reply. It is an emergency situation!
 
Last edited:
If I decyphered my notes from almost 3 years ago correctly, I constructed an equation in s, and then expressed that it should have real solutions.
 
How can I undrestand that an equation have real solutions?
thanks
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top