Determining <r> for the hydrogen atom

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The expectation value for the hydrogen atom's normalized wavefunction at quantum numbers n=3, l=2, m=0 is determined using the integral =∫₀^∞ rP(r)dr, where P(r)=r²R(r)R*(r). The normalization constant C is calculated by ensuring the integral of the probability distribution P(r) over all possible values equals 1. The final result obtained is =21/2 a₀, confirming the accuracy of the calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics and wavefunctions
  • Familiarity with the hydrogen atom model
  • Knowledge of normalization of wavefunctions
  • Proficiency in integral calculus
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the normalization of wavefunctions in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about expectation values in quantum systems
  • Explore the hydrogen atom's wavefunctions in detail
  • Investigate the use of spherical coordinates in quantum mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Students of quantum mechanics, physicists working with atomic models, and anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of wavefunctions and expectation values in quantum systems.

Potatochip911
Messages
317
Reaction score
3

Homework Statement


The equation for the normalized ##n=3##, ##l=2##, ##m=0## wavefunction is given by $$\psi_{320}=\frac{1}{81\sqrt{6\pi}}\left(\frac{1}{a_0}\right)^{3/2}\left(\frac{1}{a_0^2}\right)r^2e^{-\frac{r}{3a_0}}(3cos^2\theta-1)e^{i\phi}$$
Determine the expectation value ##<r>##.

Homework Equations


3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
##<r>## can be found using the equation ##<r>=\int_0^{\infty} rP(r)dr## where ##P(r)=r^2R(r)R^*(r)##, now I know that ##R(r)## will contain the parts of ##\psi## that are functions of ##r## but I'm not sure as to how I can find the normalization constant for it. In other words I have ##R(r)=Cr^2e^{-\frac{r}{3a_0}}## where C is the constant I must somehow determine. I'm not quite sure where to go from here and I can't seem to find a textbook where they go over calculating these (checked Griffiths and a few others).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There are two ways to go about doing that.
1) if you want to determine the normalization constant, you have the fact that the integral of the distribution over all possible values must 1, i.e.
$$ \int_0^\infty P(r) dr = 1 $$
Use this integral to solve for C.

2) Again, using the fact that the integral of the distribution is one, you can calculate
$$ <r> = \int_0^\infty rP(r)dr = \frac{\int_0^\infty rP(r)dr }{\int_0^\infty P(r)dr} $$
and the normalization constant will cancel out completely.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Potatochip911
Brian T said:
There are two ways to go about doing that.
1) if you want to determine the normalization constant, you have the fact that the integral of the distribution over all possible values must 1, i.e.
$$ \int_0^\infty P(r) dr = 1 $$
Use this integral to solve for C.

2) Again, using the fact that the integral of the distribution is one, you can calculate
$$ <r> = \int_0^\infty rP(r)dr = \frac{\int_0^\infty rP(r)dr }{\int_0^\infty P(r)dr} $$
and the normalization constant will cancel out completely.
Thanks I managed to get ##<r>=\frac{21}{2}a_0## which matched the answer I saw on a website.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
3K