Perturbation first order hydrogen - Coulomb model

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the first order correction for the ground state energy of a hydrogen atom under a modified Coulomb potential. The potential is defined as V_{mod}(r) with two cases based on the distance r from the nucleus. Participants utilize the ground state wave function ψ_0 and the perturbation Hamiltonian δĤ to derive the first order energy correction E_{1}^{(1)}. The integration involves spherical coordinates and standard integrals, with emphasis on correctly applying the volume element in the integration process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics, specifically perturbation theory.
  • Familiarity with spherical coordinates and volume elements in integration.
  • Knowledge of standard integrals and their applications in quantum mechanics.
  • Proficiency in manipulating wave functions and Hamiltonians in quantum systems.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of perturbation theory in quantum mechanics.
  • Learn about spherical coordinates and their application in multi-dimensional integrals.
  • Explore standard integral techniques used in quantum mechanics, including integration by substitution.
  • Investigate the implications of modified potentials on quantum systems, particularly in atomic physics.
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in quantum mechanics, particularly those focusing on atomic physics and perturbation theory, will benefit from this discussion.

JaneHall89
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Homework Statement


Assume that there is a deviation from Coulomb’s law at very small distances, the Coulomb potential energy between an electron and proton is given by

V_{mod}(r)=\begin{cases}<br /> -\frac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{b}{r^{2}} &amp; 0&lt;r\leq b\\<br /> -\frac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{1}{r} &amp; r&gt;b<br /> \end{cases}

(a) Find the first order correction for the ground state using the standard integrals

Homework Equations



Ground State - \psi_0=\frac{2}{a_0^{3/2}}e^{-r/a_0}

To find the first order correction - E_{1}^{(1)}=<ψ0| \delta\hat{\textrm{H}}|ψ0>

Perturbation - \delta\hat{\textrm{H}}=-\dfrac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\left(\dfrac{b}{r^{2}}-\dfrac{1}{r}\right) for 0<r≤b
Standard integrals
\int_{0}^{x} e-u du = 1 - e-x
-\int_{0}^{x} u e-u du = 1 - e-x - xe-x

The Attempt at a Solution


Using E_{1}^{(1)}=\int_{-∞}^{∞}ψ(0) * \delta\hat{\textrm{H}} ψ(0)
E_{1}^{(1)}=\dfrac{1}{\pi a_{0}^{3}}\dfrac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\int_{0}^{b}(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}}) (\dfrac{b}{r^{2}}-\dfrac{1}{r}) dr

So I've taken the constants out and applied a 'sandwich integral' with the perturbation Hamiltonian... This problem is I have no idea where to start making this easier for me, I've been staring at it for aleast and hour. Can someone help please?
 
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Where is the volume element for the integration ##d^3\mathbf{r}##?
 
r is radius not a vector in this question. So integration is only on radius. I added dr
 
That's not the point of my question. Any integral must take the form of ##\int f(x) \, dx##, where is your ##dx## in your calculation of the integral?
 
I added dr
 
JaneHall89 said:
I added dr
That's still not completely correct, you are integrating over the entire volume which means the integration element must be that of a volume element. Find the correct form of ##d^3\mathbf{r}## (sometimes also written as ##dV##) in spherical coordinate, for example take a look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_coordinate_system.
 
blue_leaf77 said:
That's still not completely correct, you are integrating over the entire volume which means the integration element must be that of a volume element. Find the correct form of ##d^3\mathbf{r}## (sometimes also written as ##dV##) in spherical coordinate, for example take a look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_coordinate_system.
But the perturbation hamilton that I have is independent of Φ,θ
 
JaneHall89 said:
But the perturbation hamilton that I have is independent of Φ,θ
The form of the volume element is entirely determined by the coordinate system being used, not by the integrand.
 
blue_leaf77 said:
The form of the volume element is entirely determined by the coordinate system being used, not by the integrand.
E_{1}^{(1)}=\dfrac{1}{\pi a_{0}^{3}}\dfrac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}} \int_{0}^{2pi} \int_{0}^{pi}\int_{0}^{b}(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}}) (\dfrac{b}{r^{2}}-\dfrac{1}{r}) dr dθ dΦ
 
  • #10
JaneHall89 said:
dr dθ dΦ
Still something missing, look for ##dV=?## in the wikipedia link above.
 
  • #11
blue_leaf77 said:
Still something missing, look for ##dV=?## in the wikipedia link above.
E_{1}^{(1)}=\dfrac{1}{\pi a_{0}^{3}}\dfrac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}} \int_{0}^{2pi} \int_{0}^{pi}\int_{0}^{b}(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}}) (\dfrac{b}{r^{2}}-\dfrac{1}{r}) r2sin θ dr dθ dΦ =
E_{1}^{(1)}=\dfrac{1}{\pi a_{0}^{3}}\dfrac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}} \int_{0}^{2pi} \int_{0}^{pi}\int_{0}^{b}(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}}) (b-r) sin θ dr dθ dΦ
 
  • #12
JaneHall89 said:
E_{1}^{(1)}=\dfrac{1}{\pi a_{0}^{3}}\dfrac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}} \int_{0}^{2pi} \int_{0}^{pi}\int_{0}^{b}(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}}) (\dfrac{b}{r^{2}}-\dfrac{1}{r}) r2sin θ dr dθ dΦ
Yes, that's right. Now all ##r##'s will be in the numerator and the integral should be analytically solvable.
 
  • #13
blue_leaf77 said:
Yes, that's right. Now all ##r##'s will be in the numerator and the integral should be analytically solvable.
hmm I'm still not seeing how to make use of the standard integrals given
 
  • #14
I mean this equation:
$$
E_{1}^{(1)}=\dfrac{1}{\pi a_{0}^{3}}\dfrac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}} \int_{0}^{2pi} \int_{0}^{pi}\int_{0}^{b}e^{\frac{-2r}{a_0}} (b-r) dr d\theta d\phi
$$
Do the integrals over the angles first if the appearance makes obscure your mind. You will then be left with the integral over ##r##, which takes the form of the formula you posted under the "Relevant equations" in your starting post.
 
  • #15
blue_leaf77 said:
I mean this equation:
$$
E_{1}^{(1)}=\dfrac{1}{\pi a_{0}^{3}}\dfrac{q^{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}} \int_{0}^{2pi} \int_{0}^{pi}\int_{0}^{b}e^{\frac{-2r}{a_0}} (b-r) dr d\theta d\phi
$$
Do the integrals over the angles first if the appearance makes obscure your mind. You will then be left with the integral over ##r##, which takes the form of the formula you posted under the "Relevant equations" in your starting post.

\int_{0}^{b}(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}}) (b-r) dr = \int_{0}^{b}-r(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}})+b(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}})

This is hurting me, I can't see how these work with standard integrals?? Everything I am trying on my paper is not working :/ Have I gone wrong somewhere else and that's why I can't see it
 
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  • #16
JaneHall89 said:
\int_{0}^{b}(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}}) (b-r) dr = \int_{0}^{b}-r(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}})+b(e^{\dfrac{-2r}{a_{0}}})

This is hurting me, I can't see how these work with standard integrals?? Everything I am trying on my paper is not working :/ Have I gone wrong somewhere else and that's why I can't see it


Integrate via a substitution using u=2r/a
 
  • #17
JaneHall89 said:
Everything I am trying on my paper is not working :/ Have I gone wrong somewhere else and that's why I can't see it
One more time, don't leave the integration element behind whenever you write an integral.
As to the method to solve, do you know integration by substitution? It's the same as the one someone above suggested.
 
  • #18
blue_leaf77 said:
One more time, don't leave the integration element behind whenever you write an integral.
As to the method to solve, do you know integration by substitution? It's the same as the one someone above suggested.
I have done the subs after a very long day of staring at this and I think its correct but its incredibly messing and hard to simplify.
For the first integral...
= ((a0b) /2) x (1-e-2b/a0)
Second
= (a02 / 4) x ( 1 - e - 2b/a0 - 2b/a0 e-2b/a0)
So I'll add them to complete.
I have Just to double check that the limits are from 0 to 2b/a0?
 
  • #19
JaneHall89 said:
So I'll add them to complete.
I have Just to double check that the limits are from 0 to 2b/a0?
Yes, add them.
Why do you still want to double check again when you have computed the integral?
 

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