Normalizing the wave function of the electron in hydrogen

In summary, the conversation discusses the process of proving the normalization of a wave function by using spherical coordinates and integrating to find the probability of finding an electron in a certain location. The correct integration limits are from 0 to infinity and the probability of finding an electron between r1=ao/2 and r2=3a0/2 is 49.65%.
  • #1
Cocoleia
295
4

Homework Statement


upload_2017-4-1_19-3-55.png

I am having trouble with part d, where they ask me to prove that the wave function is already normalized

The Attempt at a Solution


upload_2017-4-1_19-5-18.png

But that clearly doesn't give me 1. I tried to use spherical coordinates since it is in 3D? Not really sure how to proceed.
EDIT: I realize that I didn't square the wave function, so
upload_2017-4-1_19-8-5.png

Which still doesn't give me 1
 
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  • #2
The integration limit should be from ##0## to ##\infty##.
 
  • #3
blue_leaf77 said:
The integration limit should be from ##0## to ##\infty##.
Ok. I was thinking 0 to r since the most it could go was to the radius. I guess the logic is wrong
upload_2017-4-1_19-47-25.png

multiplied by 4pi, so the 4's will cancel out, leaving me with (a_0^3)(pi)
Which still doesn't = 1. What am I missing
 
  • #4
It pays to be methodical
##\psi(r,\theta,\phi) =\frac{1}{\sqrt{\pi}} \left( \frac{1}{a_0} \right )^{3/2} e^{-r/a_0}##
##\psi^*(r,\theta,\phi) \psi(r,\theta,\phi) =\frac{1}{{\pi}} \left( \frac{1}{a_0} \right )^{3} e^{-2r/a_0}##
Now do the integrals.
 
  • #5
kuruman said:
It pays to be methodical
##\psi(r,\theta,\phi) =\frac{1}{\sqrt{\pi}} \left( \frac{1}{a_0} \right )^{3/2} e^{-r/a_0}##
##\psi^*(r,\theta,\phi) \psi(r,\theta,\phi) =\frac{1}{{\pi}} \left( \frac{1}{a_0} \right )^{3} e^{-2r/a_0}##
Now do the integrals.
If I use the spherical coordinates I still get (a^3)π. I say that 0<Θ<π and 0<Φ<2π
 
  • #6
Cocoleia said:
If I use the spherical coordinates I still get (a^3)π. I say that 0<Θ<π and 0<Φ<2π
Can you show the expression that you integrated to get this result?
 
  • #7
kuruman said:
Can you show the expression that you integrated to get this result?
upload_2017-4-2_19-0-21.png

I took out the constant and then used spherical coordinates
 
  • #8
Cocoleia said:
View attachment 117362
I took out the constant and then used spherical coordinates
Oh wait. I think I figured it out. I lost my constant along the way.
When I integrate to find the probability of finding the electron in a certain place will I use spherical coordinates again ?
 
  • #10
Is it true that the probability of finding electron betwee r1= ao/2 and r2= 3a0/2 is 49,65%? For this problem
 
  • #11
rb120134 said:
Is it true that the probability of finding electron betwee r1= ao/2 and r2= 3a0/2 is 49,65%? For this problem
Yes.
 
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