Total energy of Coulomb model of Hydrogen atom

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the Coulomb model of the hydrogen atom, specifically focusing on the Hamiltonian operator and energy eigenfunctions in spherical coordinates. The original poster seeks to determine the magnitude of orbital angular momentum, its z-component, and the total energy of the system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster calculates the magnitude of orbital angular momentum and its z-component but expresses uncertainty regarding the total energy. Some participants suggest there are known relationships between the principal quantum number and energy, while others question the applicability of certain formulas to the hydrogen atom.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various formulas related to energy and angular momentum. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity involved in evaluating certain parameters, and some guidance has been offered regarding the relationships between quantum numbers and energy. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach to determining total energy.

Contextual Notes

Participants note constraints such as the lack of specific mass values and the assumption of an infinite central mass in the context of the hydrogen atom. There is also mention of the potential relevance of special relativity to the total energy consideration.

Roodles01
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Homework Statement


Hi, my question is regardng a Coulomb model of an H atom specified with Hamiltonian operator, Hhat, by spherical coordinates of energy eigenfunction
ψ2,1,-1 (r,θ, ∅) =(1/ 64∏a02)1/2 r/a0 e-r/2a0 sinθ e-iθ

Principal quantum numer n = 2
orbital an mom l = 1
magnetic quantum number m = -1

I must specify magnitude of orbital ang momentum, Lhat2, and z-component of orbital ang momentum as well as total energy.


Homework Equations


so;
Lhat2 = l (l + 1) hbar2
Lz = m hbar (1/ √2∏) eim∅



The Attempt at a Solution


Lhat2 = 1 (1 + 1)hbar2
Lhat2 = 2 hbar2

Lz = m hbar (1/ √2∏) eim∅
Lz = -1 hbar / √2∏ ei-1∅
= -1 hbar

but what about total energy?
I'm lost in the forest again and can't see the wood for the trees.
 
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There is a relation between principal quantum number and energy that you should know.
 
Hmmm!

Well, En = (n + 1/2) hbar ω0

and

En = n22 hbar2 / 2mL2
where principal quantum number n = 0, 1, 2 . . .

but I can't evaluate ω0 and I don't have the mass for the other one . . do I?
 
Ah!
n = principal quantum number
m = mass of electron
L2 = square of magnitude of orbital ang momentum.

so . . . .

E = 22 ∏2 hbar2 / 2(9.1x10-31) 2 hbar2
E = -2∏hbar/m

er! surely too messy and probably wrong.
 
Roodles01 said:
but I can't evaluate ω0 and I don't have the mass for the other one . . do I?
Why? Your formula (edit: wait, those are the wrong formulas) assumes an infinite central mass, which is usually a reasonable approximation in a hydrogen atom.

The total energy of the system does not matter unless you want to consider special relativity.
 
Last edited:
Roodles01 said:
Hmmm!

Well, En = (n + 1/2) hbar ω0

and

En = n22 hbar2 / 2mL2
where principal quantum number n = 0, 1, 2 . . .

Does either of these formulas apply to the hydrogen atom?
 

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