Potential Well Problem: Finding Excited States and Wave Functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a quantum mechanics problem involving a particle in a potential well defined by specific boundary conditions. The participants are exploring the characteristics of wave functions and energy states within the context of a one-dimensional potential well.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are discussing the functional form of the first excited wave function and questioning the validity of their choices. There are attempts to apply boundary conditions to determine constants and explore normalization of the wave function. Some participants express uncertainty about their reasoning and the implications of the potential well's boundaries.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts on the wave function forms and boundary conditions. Some have provided insights into their reasoning, while others are questioning the correctness of their approaches and assumptions. There is no explicit consensus on the correct method or outcome yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of the potential well's boundaries and the normalization of wave functions. There is mention of assumptions regarding the limits of L/3 and how they affect the wave function's behavior.

noblegas
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Homework Statement



A particle of mass m moves in one dimension in the following potential well:

V(x)=infinity, x<0 , x>L/3
V(x)=0 , 0<x<L/3

a)Circle the general functional form of the 1st excited wave function phi_1(x) in the region 0<x<L/3. k is a positive constant; A is constant as well;

i) A sin(kx)
ii) A cos(kx)
iii) A exp(kx)
iv) A exp(-kx)

b) use the boundaries conditions to determine k
c)Find A
d)Find the 2nd excited state)

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



a) I figured out was iv)
b) Not sure what to do here but I will give it a try; A*exp(-k*L/3)-A*exp(-k*0)=0 and A*exp(k*infinty)-A*exp(-k*infinity)=infinity)
c) I would squared phi to get A; (A*exp(-kx))^2=0, x=0...L/3

d) E=n*h*omega, where n=2?
 
Last edited:
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noblegas said:
a) I figured out was iv)

How did you find this?
 
George Jones said:
How did you find this?

For some reason I assumed that L/3 was approaching infinity;
I think phi =A*sin(kx) since sin(k*x=0)=0 and sin(k*L/3)= 0, assuming L is the value of a unit; This implies k=3pi,9pi,15pi,...

to find A, I would normilized phi, i.e., A^2*sin^2(3pi*x)=1, not sure what x would be

E=n*h*omega, n=2
 
Last edited:
Was the second approach I applied wrong as well?
 

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