A bound state is a physical state in which a particle or system of particles is confined to a limited region of space due to the presence of an attractive force. This results in the particle(s) having a finite energy and being in a stable state, as opposed to an unbound state where the particle(s) would have infinite energy and be free to move away from each other.
Examples of bound states include atoms, which are bound states of electrons and their respective nuclei, and molecules, which are bound states of multiple atoms. Protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom are also bound states, held together by the strong nuclear force.
Bound states are characterized by having a finite energy and being confined to a limited region of space, while unbound states have infinite energy and are free to move away from each other. Bound states are also typically more stable and have longer lifetimes compared to unbound states.
The potential energy plays a crucial role in determining whether a particle or system of particles will be in a bound state. If the potential energy is attractive, it can overcome the kinetic energy of the particles and cause them to be confined in a bound state. If the potential energy is repulsive, the particles will not be bound and will be in an unbound state.
No, a bound state cannot exist in an infinite potential well. In an infinite potential well, the potential energy is infinitely high, meaning that the particles cannot exist within the well and must have infinite energy. Bound states require an attractive potential energy to exist, which is not present in an infinite potential well.