What is the Lowest Energy State of a Simple Harmonic Oscillator?

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SUMMARY

The lowest energy state of a simple harmonic oscillator can be described by the wave function \(\Psi(x,t) = A \exp\left[-\left(\sqrt{\frac{C}{m}} \frac{x^2}{2\hbar}\right) - \frac{i}{2}\left(\sqrt{\frac{C}{m}}\right)t\right]\), where \(A\) is a constant. To evaluate the total energy of this state, the Hamiltonian operator \(H_{op}(x) = \frac{P_{op}^2}{2m} + V(x)\) must be used, with \(V(x) = \frac{1}{2}x^2\). The confusion arises from the time-dependent nature of the wave function, but the Hamiltonian operator should still be applied to find the total energy.

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fredrick08
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Homework Statement


The wave function [tex]\Psi[/tex](x,t) ofr the lowest energy state of simple harmonic oscillator, consisting of a particle mass m acted on by a linear restoring force F=Cx, where C is the force constant, can be expressed as..
[tex]\Psi[/tex](x,t)=Aexp[-([tex]\sqrt{}Cm[/tex]/2h)x[tex]^{}2[/tex]-(i/2)([tex]\sqrt{}C/m[/tex])t] where A is constant.

a. use the Hamiltonian operator with V(x)=.5x[tex]^{}2[/tex], to evaluate the total energy of the state!


Homework Equations


Hop(x)=(P[tex]^{}2[/tex]op/2m)+V(x)
Hop(t)=i*hbar(d/dt)
P[tex]^{}2[/tex]op=-hbar[tex]^{}2[/tex]d[tex]^{}2[/tex]/dx[tex]^{}2[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


ok i am very confused as to which operqator to use, since my wave function is not time independent, but they give me V(x) value...
but to find to total energy all u do is multiply the operator by wave function i think.

can i ask which op do i use?? and is it just multiplying them together?
 
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they should give the same answer as its the same state!

but seeing as it says in the question to use the Hamiltonian with [itex]V(x)=\frac{1}{2}x^2[/itex], i'd use the first one you wrote down seeing as it has a V(x) term in it.
 
ok thanks
 

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