Finding Excited States of a Particle in a 1-D Potential

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the ground and first excited states of the wavefunction for a particle in a one-dimensional potential defined by V(x) = B|x|. The context is rooted in quantum mechanics, specifically the Time Independent Schrödinger Equation (TISE).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to substitute the potential into the TISE and rearranges terms to form a differential equation. They express uncertainty about solving the equation due to the potential's dependence on x. Other participants suggest that the solutions will be Airy functions or Bessel functions, and there is discussion about the approach to obtaining these forms.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different mathematical approaches to the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the types of functions that may be relevant, and the original poster has clarified their understanding of the problem's requirements.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that they do not need to solve for the wavefunction but rather determine its curvature to sketch the excited states, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the problem's requirements at the outset.

dats13
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



The quaestion asks to determine the ground an first excited state of the wavefuntion of a particle in a 1-D potential given by V(x)=B\left | x \right |.

Homework Equations



The Time Independent Schrödinger Equation (TISE):

-\frac{\hbar}{2m}\frac{d^{2}\Psi }{dx^{2}}+V\Psi=E\Psi

The Attempt at a Solution



I substituted the potential into the TISE and with some rearraging of terms I get the following differential equation.

{\Psi}''+\frac{2m}{\hbar^{2}}(E-B\left | x \right |)\Psi=0

This is where I'm stuck. I don't know how to solve this equation because of the potential is dependent on x. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The general solutions will be Airy functions (or Bessel functions of order 1/3).
 
Ok, but I don't see how I would get bessel's equation. I'm guessing I would need to multiply the equation first by x^{2}.
 
Its much easier to get Airy's equation. Check how you can get that ;)
 
It turns out for this question I don't actually need to solve for the wavefunction. I just need to determine the curvature of it. Than from there I can get a rough sketch of the excited states, which is all the question asks for. I should have posted the full question, although I know what I need to do now. Thanks for your input Thaakisfox.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
5K