The time average potential of neutral hydrogen atom

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on finding the charge distribution that corresponds to the time-averaged potential of a neutral hydrogen atom, defined by the electronic charge and the Bohr radius. Participants are working through the mathematical derivation using the product rule and derivatives, specifically focusing on the term involving the potential's dependence on distance. There is confusion regarding the sign of the exponential term, whether it should be exp(αr) or exp(-αr). The conversation highlights the need for careful algebraic manipulation to resolve the remaining derivatives in the equation. The thread emphasizes the importance of completing the derivation for a comprehensive understanding of the potential.
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Homework Statement


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The time-averaged potential of a neutral hydrogen atom is given by

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where q is the magnitude of the electronic charge, and
latex.png
being the Bohr radius. Find the distribution of charge( both continuous and discrete) that will give this potential and interpret your result physically.

Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution


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latex.png


latex.png
since
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and
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from product rule

latex.png


latex.png


now I'm stuck here no idea how to handle first term.
 
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Ok I think I figure it out.

lets take derivative one term at a time using product rule

\frac{1}{r^{2}}\frac{\partial}{\partial r}\left[r^{2}e^{-\alpha r}\frac{\partial}{\partial r}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)\right]=\frac{1}{r^{2}}\left[2re^{-\alpha r}\frac{\partial}{\partial r}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)+r^{2}\left(-\alpha\right)e^{-\alpha r}\frac{\partial}{\partial r}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)+r^{2}e^{-\alpha r}\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial r^{2}}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)\right]

putting \frac{\partial}{\partial r}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)=-\frac{1}{r^{2}}

\frac{1}{r^{2}}\left[2re^{-\alpha r}\left(-\frac{1}{r^{2}}\right)+r^{2}\left(-\alpha\right)e^{-\alpha r}\left(-\frac{1}{r^{2}}\right)+r^{2}e^{-\alpha r}\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial r^{2}}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)\right]=\frac{1}{r^{2}}\left[-2e^{-\alpha r}\frac{1}{r}+\alpha e^{-\alpha r}+r^{2}e^{-\alpha r}\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial r^{2}}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)\right]

=-2e^{-\alpha r}\frac{1}{r^{3}}+\alpha e^{-\alpha r}\frac{1}{r^{2}}+e^{-\alpha r}\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial r^{2}}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)
 
Last edited:
Is it exp(alpha r) or exp(- alpha r) ?

I have not checked your algebra. But you stopped with there still being a derivative. You are not done.
 
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