Hydrogen atom (HELP ME FAST PLEASE)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving for the ground state of the hydrogen atom, focusing on the application of the Schrödinger equation and the normalization of the wave function. Participants explore the mathematical formulation and implications of the wave function in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the angular dependence can be suppressed due to the spherical harmonics, leading to a radial-dependent equation for the hydrogen atom's ground state.
  • Another participant confirms the form of the ground state wave function as Ψ(r) = A e^(-br) and suggests substituting it into the time-independent Schrödinger equation to derive equations for the constants E and b.
  • A participant expresses confusion about obtaining multiple results for b and seeks clarification on the process of plugging the wave function into the Schrödinger equation.
  • Another participant indicates that the substitution will yield two terms, which can be used to solve for b and E.
  • One participant questions the process of obtaining two equations from the substitution and later indicates a potential understanding of the concept.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to solving the problem, but there is some confusion regarding the outcomes and the process of deriving the equations from the wave function.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential typos or calculation errors affecting the results for b, and the discussion does not resolve the exact method for deriving the equations from the wave function.

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Hi, I'm trying to figure out the solution for the ground state of the hydrogen-atom, however it is not going well.
As far as i know, you can supress the angular dependence, because the states of hydrogen (or at least some of them) are spherically harmonic.
This way the schr. equation just reduces to a radial dependent equation, which has the solutions:
Ψ(r) = F(r)e^(-br), where b is a constant and F(r) a power series (the laguerre polynomials), which determines the number of the s-orbital such that if i just look at the ground state F(r) reduces to a constant. Now, am I right so far?
Well, if so, I'm finding it a little hard to determine these constant. I read somewhere, that you can do it using the normalization condition for the wave function, but isn't Ψ(r) also dependent on the other s-orbitals or how am I to solve the problem?
 
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You're right so far. The ground state wave function looks like:
\psi(r) = A e^{-b r}
Now plug this into the time-independent Schrödinger equation:
\frac{-\hbar^2}{2m}\nabla^2 \psi(r)+\frac{e^2}{r}\psi(r) = E \psi(r)
This should give you two equations that allow you to solve for E and b.
Then you determine A by requiring that the integral of |psi^2| over all space is equal to 1.
 
Hmm, I seem to be getting multiple results when try to solve for b. What do I do with those?
Just to get it straigt, what I'm supposed to do is plug the ground-state wave function into the schrödinger-equation and solve for b right?
But again, I'm likely to have made a typo on my calculator..
 
If you do it right, you will get one term proportional to e^-r, and a second term proportional to (e^-r)/r. These two terms will allow you to solve for b and E.
 
Now this i don't understand. Don't u just plug the wave function in the schrödinger-equation. How does that give you two equation?
EDIT: I think i get it now
 
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