# Homework Help: Electric Dipole Selection Rules

1. Nov 16, 2007

### CoreyJKelly

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

For $$\Delta$$l = 0 the transition rate can be obtained by evaluating the electric dipole matrix elements
given by

$$\vec{I}$$ = $$\int$$ $$\Psi^{*}_{1,0,0}$$ (e $$\vec{r}$$) $$\Psi_{2,0,0}$$ d$$\tau$$

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

I've got the two wave functions, neither of which have a theta or phi dependance, so when multiplied by the r vector, I should just get their r components. Evaluating this integral is simple, but I'm not sure if I understand what the answer means.
The selection rule for l is $$\Delta$$l =$$\pm$$1, so doesn't that mean that this case, where $$\Delta$$l = 0 shouldn't be allowed? I might be completely off track, but I thought that the integral would give me 0, proving this, but that's not the value I'm getting. The actual calculation here isn't difficult, but I think I'm missing something conceptually.

2. Nov 16, 2007

### malawi_glenn

the operator has odd parity, angular wave functions has parity $$(-1)^l$$.

So $\Psi_{2,0,0}$ means $n=2, l = 0, m = 0$ right ?

If that is the case, then you see that the total integrand has odd parity, and integration over whole space will give you zero.

Last edited: Nov 16, 2007
3. Nov 16, 2007

### CoreyJKelly

Makes sense.. I actually talked to the prof about the question, and it turns out we had to split r into components, and evaluate all three integrals explicitly.. it was a bit annoying, but I got it sorted out. Thanks for the help!

4. Nov 17, 2007

### malawi_glenn

yeah, if you have explicit wave functions, then you just work it out. I was trying to explain the general idea behind the selection rules :)