What is the time evolution of the wave function?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the time evolution of a wave function in a one-dimensional infinite potential well, specifically addressing the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues associated with the system. The original poster presents a wave function at time t=0 and seeks to understand its behavior as time progresses, along with the probability density and total probability.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues, questioning the boundary conditions and their implications. Some participants suggest reconsidering the boundary conditions and the normalization of the wave function. Others introduce the concept of the Evolution Operator as a potential simplification for understanding the time evolution.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's queries, offering clarifications and alternative approaches. There is acknowledgment of mistakes in the boundary conditions, and some guidance has been provided regarding normalization and the use of the Schrödinger equation. However, there is no explicit consensus on the final approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of correctly applying boundary conditions and the normalization process, which are critical in quantum mechanics problems. The original poster's initial assumptions and setup are also under scrutiny, indicating a need for clarity in the problem definition.

Panic Attack
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Ok, I have a 1-D box confined at at x = 0 and x = L. So, points between 0 and L distances are the continuum state and otherwise distances be discontinous.
a) I need to find the egien functs: Un(x) and related egien values: En ... n are the excited levels represented as positive whole numbers.

The wave funct is: φ(x, t = 0) = (1/(3^1/2))U_2(x) + ((2/3)^1/2)U_3(x)


b) As time progresses, what will the function look like?
c) What is the prob. density (φ squared) and P(x,t) = total probability.


What I have so far...

(-(h/2pi)^2)/2m * (d^2/dx^2)Psi(x) = E*Psi(x)
Psi(x)|x=0 = Asin(0) + Bcos(0) = B = 0 ?
Psi(x)|x=L = Asin(kL) + Bcos(kL) = 0 ?

[0 0; sin(kL) cos(kL)] *[A;B] = [0 0]

set KnL/2 = n*pi
En = (h/2pi)^2 *k^2]/2m
= [(h/2pi)^2] /2m * (2n*pi/L)
 
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Nobody wants to help Adam...
 
Hi Panic_Attack!

In the second boundary condition you made a mistake, because you
already know that B=0, You really have:

[tex]\Psi(x=L) = ASin(kL) = 0[/tex]

And this condition say to you:

[tex]kL = n\pi[/tex]

where

[tex]k^{2}\equiv\frac{2mE}{\hbar^{2}}[/tex]

Then you got [tex]E_{n}[/tex]

To find the wave function you don't know A yet, but try to normalize the wave function.

On (b) part.. Have you heard about the Evolution Operator? Maybe this simplify your problem.

(Sorry my english sucks)
 
Last edited:
criz.corral said:
Hi Panic_Attack!

In the second boundary condition you made a mistake, because you
already know that B=0, You really have:

[tex]\Psi(x=L) = ASin(kL) = 0[/tex]

And this condition say to you:

[tex]kL = n\pi[/tex]

where

[tex]k^{2}\equiv\frac{2mE}{\hbar^{2}}[/tex]

Then you got [tex]E_{n}[/tex]

To find the wave function you don't know A yet, but try to normalize the wave function.

On (b) part.. Have you heard about the Evolution Operator? Maybe this simplify your problem.

(Sorry my english sucks)

Thanks so much for replying to my question. Fortunately I was able to find an answer without using the evolution operator. I basically went through solving with the Schrödinger equation with setting up the solutions of the differential equations based on the regions. And had the same K value you got too. Then I normalised the wave function with it squared over the integral and found A too... I really apreciate your help, sorry I couldn't reply sooner.

Your english sounds better than mine! lol
 

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