How Does Quantum Mechanics Describe Free-Particle Probability Amplitudes?

rar0308
Messages
55
Reaction score
0
Problem10.1, Introductory QM,Liboff.

Homework Statement


If \psi (\mathbf{r},t) is a free-particle state and b(\mathbf{k},t) the momentum probability amplitude for this same state, show that
\iiint \psi^* \psi d \mathbf{r}=\iiint b^* b d \mathbf{k}

Homework Equations



\psi_\mathbf{k} (\mathbf{r},t) = Ae^{i(\mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{r} - \omega t)} (10.14)
\hbar \omega = E_k
\delta (\mathbf{r} - \mathbf{r'}) = \frac{1}{(2 \pi)^3} \iiint e^{i \mathbf{k} \cdot (\mathbf{r} - \mathbf{r'})} d \mathbf{k} (10.20)
d \mathbf{k} = dk_x dk_y dk_z
\psi (\mathbf{r},t)=\frac{1}{(2 \pi)^{3/2}}\iiint b(\mathbf{k},t)e^{i(\mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{r}-\omega t)} d \mathbf{k} (10.22)
b(\mathbf{k},t) = \frac{1}{(2 \pi)^{3/2}}\iiint\psi (\mathbf{k},t) e^{i(\mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{r} - \omega t)} d \mathbf{r} (10.23)
d \mathbf{r}=dxdydz


The Attempt at a Solution



1.I substituted eq 22 into left-hand side of problem's equation. Then I don't know how to go further. I think there will be some manipulation on the equation but I'm lacking some knowledge how to do it.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Your question is a simple case of Plancherel theorem. What is B equal to, if you're given its Fourier transformation ?
 
rar0308 said:
b(\mathbf{k},t) = \frac{1}{(2 \pi)^{3/2}}\iiint\psi (\mathbf{k},t) e^{i(\mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{r} - \omega t)} d \mathbf{r} (10.23)
d \mathbf{r}=dxdydz
Is this a Fourier transform?
 
Yes. Then what is b equal to ? Can you perform that integration, once you know psi ?
 
Hi, I had an exam and I completely messed up a problem. Especially one part which was necessary for the rest of the problem. Basically, I have a wormhole metric: $$(ds)^2 = -(dt)^2 + (dr)^2 + (r^2 + b^2)( (d\theta)^2 + sin^2 \theta (d\phi)^2 )$$ Where ##b=1## with an orbit only in the equatorial plane. We also know from the question that the orbit must satisfy this relationship: $$\varepsilon = \frac{1}{2} (\frac{dr}{d\tau})^2 + V_{eff}(r)$$ Ultimately, I was tasked to find the initial...
The value of H equals ## 10^{3}## in natural units, According to : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_units, ## t \sim 10^{-21} sec = 10^{21} Hz ##, and since ## \text{GeV} \sim 10^{24} \text{Hz } ##, ## GeV \sim 10^{24} \times 10^{-21} = 10^3 ## in natural units. So is this conversion correct? Also in the above formula, can I convert H to that natural units , since it’s a constant, while keeping k in Hz ?
Back
Top