Quantum particle in a 2 dimensional box

1. Jun 5, 2007

Unskilled

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I need some help

http://www.fysik.uu.se/kurser/1tt306/filer/TentKF06+short-answers.pdf [Broken]

On task 4 a) i don't understand why they have two solutions, one for odd n and the other for even n.

Last edited by a moderator: May 2, 2017
2. Jun 5, 2007

malawi_glenn

Hi there, I also study @ Uppsala ;) physics..

It has to do with the parity of the wave functions. Look on the symmetries around x=0. Ground state has zero nodes, 1st excited has one etc. Skiss the potetial and search for symmetry points.

Last edited by a moderator: May 2, 2017
3. Jun 6, 2007

StatusX

Note there's no qualititative difference between the x and y directions. You could write the wavefunction more symmetrically as:

$$\psi_{nm} = C \sin \left( n \pi \frac{x-(-A)}{A-(-A)} \right) \sin \left( m\pi \frac{y-0}{B-0}\right)$$

They just used some trig identities to rewrite this.

Last edited: Jun 6, 2007
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