Time independent Schrodinger equation results (1D)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of results from the time-independent Schrödinger equation in one dimension. Participants explore the implications of different potential energy scenarios (V0) on the wave function solutions, including the forms of the solutions and their physical interpretations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the second term in the wave function solution Ψ=Aeikx+Be-ikx represents the possibility of the wave traveling in both directions, suggesting that both sine and cosine forms also serve this purpose.
  • Another participant clarifies that the equation is time-independent and linear, indicating that both terms are necessary for a complete solution to the second-order differential equation, rather than just representing directional travel.
  • There is a discussion about the case when V0 is greater than E, where the wave function takes the form Ψ=Aekx+Be-kx, with a participant questioning the absence of a trigonometric result in this scenario.
  • One participant reflects on a specific problem involving a wave encountering a potential step, interpreting the reflected and transmitted waves in terms of their respective wave function forms, and seeks validation of this interpretation.
  • Another participant agrees with the interpretation but notes a requirement related to k, suggesting a need to consider the full time-dependent solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of wave function terms and their physical significance. There is no consensus on the implications of the wave function forms in relation to directionality and reflection.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for piecewise application of solutions and the potential for additional functions to be included as solutions, indicating that the discussion may depend on specific boundary conditions and assumptions about the system.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and practitioners in quantum mechanics, particularly those studying the Schrödinger equation and wave function behavior in potential energy scenarios.

WrongMan
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okay so i need some help interpreting some of the results,
so (-ħ2/2m)Ψ''=E-V0Ψ;
So i set k2= 2m*(E-V0)/ħ2
and so : Ψ''=-k2Ψ
so if V0=0 or is smaller than E, k2 is positive;
*need for help starts here*
Ψ=Aeikx+Be-ikx;
another result for this would also be only eikx so is the second term only there to represent the possibility of the wave to travel in both directions?
now for the trignometric result is the same, are both the sines and cosines there to represent both directions?

ok so when V0 is bigger than E i can just set k2=-2m*(E-V0)/ħ2 and so
Ψ=Aekx+Be-kx
there is no trig result correct?
 
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WrongMan said:
Ψ=Aeikx+Be-ikx;
another result for this would also be only eikx so is the second term only there to represent the possibility of the wave to travel in both directions?
No. The equation is time independent. The Schroedinger equation is linear, so if 1 is a solution and 2 is a solution, then A*1 + B*2 is also a solution. And you need two integrations constants to describe a particular solution of a second order differential equation.
now for the trignometric result is the same, are both the sines and cosines there to represent both directions?
No. It's just a rewrite of the other solution.
Ψ=Aekx+Be-kx
there is no trig result correct?
You can rewrite this one in hyperbolic sine/cosine. Not really trigonometric, but close.
And: these solutions can only apply piecewise, because they go to infinity far away.
 
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BvU said:
No. The equation is time independent. The Schroedinger equation is linear, so if 1 is a solution and 2 is a solution, then A*1 + B*2 is also a solution. And you need two integrations constants to describe a particular solution of a second order differential equation.
So if i found another function f(x) that was a solution to the differential equation it should be included?
About the direction part, i remember an problem where the wave/particle came from left to right and encountered a step with a certain lenght, there was a reflected wave on the left of the beginning of the step and one inside the step but on the right of the step there wasn't, and that translated into:
Left of the step:
e^ikx +re^-ikx
Inside:
Ae^iqx +Be^-ikx
Right of the step:
te^ikx
And so what i understood from it was that re^-ikx and Be^-iqx where about the reflected waves and since to the right of the step there was nothing "reflecting" the wave so there was no -ikx term on it; is this a wrong way of looking at it?
I don't know if this was clear enough i can provide drawings and more info about the problem if necessary (1:30 am here, so tommorow)
Thanks for your answer!
 
WrongMan said:
is this a wrong way of looking at it?
Just fine - but I think I remember that for ##k## the only requirement is on ##k^2##
Check the full time-dependent solution for ##\pm \hbar k \pm \omega t##
 
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