Confusion with formulas for wavefunctions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around confusion regarding the appropriate formulas for wavefunctions in different dimensional contexts, specifically comparing 1D, 2D, and 3D problems. Participants are trying to clarify which formulas apply to their specific problem and how to transition between them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express confusion about the correct formula to use, particularly in distinguishing between 1D, 2D, and 3D wavefunction problems. There are questions about how to adapt formulas from one dimension to another and whether the formulas in their notes are applicable.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and the formulas involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the separability of the wave function in higher dimensions, but no consensus has been reached on the specific formulas to use.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of their homework assignments, which may limit the information they can reference or the formulas they can use. There is a noted lack of clarity in the original notes regarding the distinctions between different dimensional problems.

Cocoleia
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Homework Statement


I am working on this problem:
upload_2017-4-1_16-21-29.png


The formula I am given in my notes is:
upload_2017-4-1_16-26-42.png

I found a website which explains this problem, and they give this formula:
upload_2017-4-1_16-27-8.png

But then, their answer is:
upload_2017-4-1_16-27-48.png

And I don't see how they went from sqrt(8) to 2 on the numerator. I am confused which formula to use where.
I am confused as to which formula I should use... my notes don't make any difference between L1, L2 and L3, but then it doesn't matter in this case in the end.
 
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You have found a solution for the 3D problem. Yours is the 2D problem, which is slightly different.
 
PeroK said:
You have found a solution for the 3D problem. Yours is the 2D problem, which is slightly different.
The solution I found was supposed to be for the exact same problem I am working on. In this case do I use the formula from my notes ? Or there is a completely different one that I am forgetting ?
 
PeroK said:
You have found a solution for the 3D problem. Yours is the 2D problem, which is slightly different.
Could I use this one:
upload_2017-4-1_16-52-6.png

and then add the y-component somehow ?
 
Cocoleia said:
Could I use this one:
and then add the y-component somehow ?

You've found the 1D solution and the 3D solution. I think you are supposed to solve the 2D problem for yourself!
 
Cocoleia said:
Could I use this one:
View attachment 115925
and then add the y-component somehow ?

Yes, your problem in 2- or 3 dimension is separable. That, is the wave function for the 2-dimensional problem can be written as a product of two wave functions, one depending on ##x## and the other on ##y##.
 

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