Particles in an energy eigenstate not moving?

sheelbe999
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
I'm really struggling with this one guys, the question is:

Explain why a particle which is in an energy eigenstate cannot be moving in the
classical sense.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What you need to know to answer this is a) the interpretation of a wavefunction, and b) how a wavefunction changes with time. (If you know that the state at t=0 is f, then what is it at arbitrary t? f(t)=(something)f, right?).

(This should probably be in the homework forum).
 
thanks and will move it

henry
 
Hints: This has to do with "stationary states".

What is a prerequisite for a stationary state? What do stationary states imply for expectation values?
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'

Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'

This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
View full post »
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'

Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'

The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
View full post »

Similar threads

Quantum exam practice, operators and eigenstates
Replies
29
Views
3K
Quantum Harmonic Oscillator, what is #E_0#?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Particles in an energy eigenstate not moving?
Replies
1
Views
2K
I Collapse of wavefunction into a forbidden eigenstate for a free particle
2
Replies
75
Views
5K
Average value of the impulse as the parameters vary
Replies
14
Views
2K
Calculation of the Berry connection for a 2x2 Hamiltonian
Replies
1
Views
2K
QM: Writing time evolution as sum over energy eigenstates
Replies
1
Views
1K
Finding Probability of Two-Identical-Particle System in a Given State
Replies
16
Views
2K
QM Eigenstates and the Notion of Motion
2
Replies
79
Views
5K
I "Different" energy eigenstates - clarification of meaning?
Replies
1
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top