What is the Probability for Deuteron Hi in a Square-Well Potential?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter komigen
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Deuteron Probability
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the probability of finding the proton and neutron in a deuteron beyond the range of the nucleon-nucleon force, using a square-well potential model. Participants explore the application of the Schrödinger equation and the continuity conditions for wave functions in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in calculating the probability for nucleons in a deuteron using the Schrödinger equation, mentioning continuity conditions at the boundary of the potential.
  • Another participant suggests that the continuity of the wave function is sufficient and emphasizes the importance of normalization to find the probability.
  • There is a discussion about the mathematical expressions for the wave functions inside and outside the potential well, with specific forms provided for both regions.
  • Participants discuss the need to evaluate an integral of the probability density to find the probability of locating nucleons outside the strong force range.
  • One participant expresses confusion about mixing probability with the average value of position and questions the significance of the average value in this context.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the normalization of the wave functions and how to define the coefficients involved in the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for normalization and the use of continuity conditions, but there is no consensus on the specific approach to calculating the probability or the implications of average values in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the use of the reduced mass in calculations and the potential complexity of finding primitive functions for the integrals involved. There are also references to the significance of average values in probability theory, highlighting the nuanced understanding required in this discussion.

komigen
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
hi,
Need help to calculate the probability for the proton and neutron in the deuteron to be found beyond the range of the nucleon-nucleon force, assuming a square-well potential.

I used schrödinger equation and solved for the r<R, and r>R. then took into acount the continuity condition at r=R. Then couldn't know what to do.

Would be great if someone could help me
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What is the problem? You don't have enough equations?

Remember the function is continuous up to the first derivative (if the well has a finite depth). You can also discard the "non-physical" terms.
 
AndyUrquijo said:
What is the problem? You don't have enough equations?

Remember the function is continuous up to the first derivative (if the well has a finite depth). You can also discard the "non-physical" terms.

The problem is that i don't know how to calculate the probability usind the continuity condition at r=R.
The equation for r<R: u1(r)=Asink1r
And for r>R we have : u2(r)=Ce-k2r

k1=squere root of (2m(E+V0)/h2)
k2=squere root of (-2mE/h2).

I then put ,
u1(R)=u2(R), and,
u1'(R)=u2'(R).
These to conditions should in some way help me to calculate the probability for the proton and neutron in the deuteron to be found beyond the range of the nucleon-nucleon force.

I think like this, because it's the probability beyoned the range , i.e r>R, then it's maybe u2(r) that I should took the squere of the absolutbelopp of the calculate the probability, but then i should know the constant C.
It means that I need to calculate lu2(r)l2. is that right? then how can I calculate this probability?
 
Now that I see it I noticed, that the continuity in the derivative doesn't help you here. You only need to use the continuity on the function. The probability of finding the particle anywhere should be one, right? Use this normalization property to get the last variable. Now you have well-defined functions and you can proceed to find the probability of finding the nucleons out of the strong force range. To do this, evaluate the integral of the probability density over the according region.
[tex]$\int_R^\infty \left|\Psi \left( r \right) \right|^2dr$[/tex]

I asume R is the nuclear force range? If this is true, then the range of the integral is domain of your [tex]u_2[/tex]

Edit: Oh and you are using the coupled coordinate for the separation between the nucleons. So you need to use the reduced mass [tex]\mu[/tex]
 
Last edited:
AndyUrquijo said:
Now that I see it I noticed, that the continuity in the derivative doesn't help you here. You only need to use the continuity on the function. The probability of finding the particle anywhere should be one, right? Use this normalization property to get the last variable. Now you have well-defined functions and you can proceed to find the probability of finding the nucleons out of the strong force range. To do this, evaluate the integral of the probability density over the according region.
[tex]$\int_R^\infty \left|\Psi \left( r \right) \right|^2dr$[/tex]

I asume R is the nuclear force range? If this is true, then the range of the integral is domain of your [tex]u_2[/tex]

Edit: Oh and you are using the coupled coordinate for the separation between the nucleons. So you need to use the reduced mass [tex]\mu[/tex]

oh, thanks a lot, yeah R is the nuclear force range. If then understood right then i use the normalzation for u2(r) to get the variable C. Then calculate the probability using this equation 2 right? then it becomes hard to find an primitive function for this equation in this intervall, well?
I have also another question, feels like I mix probability with the average value of position, i.e. <x>, what does the average value give for information? and way canot I use it ?
 
Last edited:
The normalization must be done for the two functions. Or rather, for u1 in r < R and u2 for r > R. The sum of this two integrals is 1. With this, you should have all your coefficients defined. Then with this you can calculate the second term numerically.

The value <a> gives you an averaged value of a variable. This is basic probability theory, just put average value on wikipedia. In some cases it tells you significant information, but sometimes it doesn't. For example, in a simple hydrogen atom the value <r> of the electron is the bohr radius. But the average value of some axial coordinate <z> would give you a 0 (even with x and y set to 0). Which is not that much helpful, because the electron never reaches this point inside the proton.
 
thanx a lot, understand now :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
6K
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K