Schrodinger equation, normalizing

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on normalizing the wave function of a particle in an infinite potential well and deriving the dependence of the normalization constant B on the parameter b. The normalization condition leads to the expression B = √(2/(a(1 + b²))). Following normalization, the expectation value of energy is calculated using the momentum operator, with the formula for energy expressed in terms of the wave function. A question arises regarding the complexity of calculating the second derivative of the wave function, prompting a search for a simpler method. The conversation highlights the challenges of quantum mechanics calculations and the importance of normalization in determining physical properties.
SoggyBottoms
Messages
53
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Consider the infinite well, a particle with mass m in the potential

V(x) =<br /> \begin{cases}<br /> 0, &amp; 0 &lt; x &lt; a,\\<br /> \infty, &amp; \text{otherwise,}<br /> \end{cases},<br />

At t = 0 the particle is in the state:

\Psi(x,0) = B \left[\sin{\left(\frac{l \pi}{a}x\right)} + b\sin{\left(\frac{2l \pi}{a}x\right)}\right]
with b a real number and l a whole number. Use normalization to show how B depends on b.

1 = B^2 \int_0^a \left[\sin{\left(\frac{l \pi}{a}x\right)} + b\sin{\left(\frac{2l \pi}{a}x\right)}\right]^2 dx \\<br /> = B^2 \left(\frac{1}{2} \int_0^a (1 - \cos{\left(\frac{2 l \pi}{a}x\right)})dx + \frac{b^2}{2} \int_0^a (1 - \cos{\left(\frac{4 l \pi}{a}x\right)})dx + <br /> b\int_0^a \cos{\left(\frac{l \pi}{a}x\right)}dx + b\int_0^a \cos{\left(\frac{3 l \pi}{a}x\right)}dx\right)\\<br /> = B^2(\frac{a}{2} + \frac{b^2a}{2})

B = \sqrt{\frac{2}{a(1 + b^2)}}

Did I do this correctly?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
It looks correct.

ehild
 
Thanks.
 
Now I have to calculate the expectation value of the energy. E = \frac{p^2}{2m}, so \langle E \rangle = \langle \frac{p^2}{2m} \rangle and with \langle p \rangle = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \Psi^{\ast} \frac{\hbar}{i} \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \Psi dx we get:

\langle E \rangle = \frac{-\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{2}{a(1 + b^2)} \int_0^a \Psi^{\ast} \frac{\partial^2}{\partial x^2} \Psi dx

Is the integrand simply equal to \frac{d^2}{dx^2} \left[\sin{\left(\frac{l \pi}{a}x\right)} + b\sin{\left(\frac{2l \pi}{a}x\right)}\right]^2? Because that becomes a really long calculation, so I was wondering if there is another way...
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top