Physics 141 Probset 2

Michael Adrian Javier - 2019-04177

October 31, 2021

1 Problem 1
Apply completeness theorem on Ψ(x, t) at t = 0 for a particle in an infinite well
which is given by:
 s  
 2 2π a
a sin x 0≤x≤


Ψ(x, t = 0) = 2 a 2
 a
 0 ≤x≤a

2
a. If we measure energy, what possible values will we get?
b. Get the probability of getting E = E1 , E = E2 where E1 and E2 are the
energies after the ground state: E0 < E1 < E2 .
c. Write down an expression for Ψ(x, t).

1.1 Measured energy

The measured energy can be computed by going back to the boundary conditions of a infinite square well.

ψ(0) = ψ (a) = 0 (1)

Plugging this in the general solution for an infinite square well,

ψ(0) = 0 = A sin(0) + B cos(0) (2)

0=B (3)

Then

ψ (a) = 0 = A sin (ka) (4)

nπ = ka (5)
nπ
=k (6)
a
The measured energy can be computed with the k term

2mEn
k2 = (7)
~2
2 2
n π 2mEn
= (8)
a2 ~2
2 2 2
n π ~
= En (9)
2ma2

n2 π 2 ~2
En = (10)
2ma2

1
1.2 Probability of energy
The expected energy can be computed using the

r Z a/2
2  nπ 
cn = sin Ψ(x, 0) dx (11)
a 0 a

and then

r Z a/2 s  
2  nπ  2 2π
cn = sin x a sin x dx (12)
a 0 a 2 a
√ Z a/2  
2 2  nπ  2π
=√ √ sin x sin x dx (13)
a a 0 a a
√ Z a  
2 2  nπ  2π
= sin x sin x dx (14)
a 0 a a
√   √
2 2 1 2
= δn,2 = δn,2 (15)
a 2 a

cos[(m − n)x] − cos[(m + n)x]

If n 6= 2, we can use the identity sin(mx) sin(nx) = .
2
√ Z
2 2 a/2 1
     
nπ 2π 1 nπ 2π
= cos − x − cos + x dx (16)
a 0 2 a a 2 a a
√ Z a/2      
2 nπ 2π nπ 2π
= cos − x − cos + x dx (17)
a 0 a a a a
√       a/2
2 a π(n − 2) a π(n + 2) 
= sin x − sin x  (18)
a π(n − 2) a π(n + 2) a 0
√     
2a 1 π(n − 2) a 1 π(n + 2) a
= sin − sin −0−0 (19)
a π n−2 a 2 n+2 a 2
√  
2 1 π  1 π 
= sin (n − 2) − sin (n + 2) (20)
π n−2 2 n+2 2
√  
2 1  nπ  1  nπ
= sin −π − sin +π (21)
π n−2 2 n+2 2

√ Z
2 2 a/2 1
     
nπ 2π 1 nπ 2π
= cos − x − cos + x dx (22)
a 0 2 a a 2 a a
√ Z a/2      
2 nπ 2π nπ 2π
= cos − x − cos + x dx (23)
a 0 a a a a
√ "
a/2 a/2
#
2 a π a π
= sin (n − 2)x  − sin (n + 2)x  −0−0 (24)
a π(n − 2) a 0 π(n + 2) a 0
√  
2 a π  a π
= sin (n − 2) − sin (n + 2) (25)
a π(n − 2) 2 π(n + 2) 2
√  
2 a  nπ  a  nπ
= sin − π) − sin +π (26)
a π(n − 2) 2 π(n + 2) 2

Using the identity sin(a + b) = sin a cos b + cos a sin b

√  i
2 1 h  nπ   nπ  i 1 h  nπ   nπ 
= sin cos(π) − cos sin(π) − sin cos(π) + cos sin(π) (27)
π n−2 2 2 n+2 2 2

2
 √  i
2 1 h  nπ  i 1 h  nπ 
= sin (−1) − 0 − sin (−1) + 0 (28)
π n−2 2 n+2 2
√   nπ 
2 −1  nπ  1
= sin + sin (29)
π n−2 2 n+2 2
√    nπ   n − 2 − (n + 2) 
2  nπ  1 1 2
= sin − = sin (30)
π 2 n+2 n−2 π 2 (n + 2)(n − 2)
√ √
2  nπ  −2 −2 2  nπ  1
= sin 2
= sin 2
(31)
π 2 n −4 π 2 n −4
So,
√
−2 2  nπ  1
cn = sin (32)
π 2 n2 − 4
The probability of energy can be computed by the modulus squared of cn , which is |cn |2 .
√ √ √
−2 2 π 1 −2 2 1 2 2
c1 = sin = (1) = (33)
π 2 1−4 π −3 3π
If we look at the sine term, we can conclude that the even terms would be 0. However, we must be wary to not
jump to conclusions because this actually becomes an indeterminate. Thus, we must check the limit for n = 2,

 nπ 
√ sin  
−2 2 2 0
c2 = lim (34)
π n→2 n2 − 4 0
√ d h  nπ i √ π  nπ 
2 2 sin −2 2 cos
lim dn 2 lim 2 2
LH’R
= − = (35)
π n→2 d 2 π n→2 2n
[n − 4]
  dn
2π
cos
2 (−1) 1
=− √ =− √ = √ (36)
2 2 2

16 1
|c1 |2 = and |c2 |2 = (37)
9π 2 2

1.3 Time-dependent wavefunction

We can find the time-dependent wavefunction Ψ(x, t) by using the formula

∞
X
Ψ(x, t) = cn Ψ(x, 0)e−iEt/~ (38)
n=1
∞
" √ #
−2n2 π 2 ~
   
X −2 2  nπ  1 2 2π
= sin √ sin x exp it (39)
n=1
π 2 n2 − 4 a a ma2
√ ∞
−2n2 π 2 ~
 X  
4 2 2π 1
= − √ sin x exp it (40)
π a a n=1
n2 − 4 ma2

We can actually plug cn , E, and Ψ(x, 0) already. But we can also define cn as a piecewise function by evaluating
the sine term, as we know that this only has three values: -1, 0, or 1. So
 4
 n=1
3π






 1

 n=2
2




cn = −4 1
n = 5, 9, 13, ...
π n2 − 4





 0

 n = even


 4 1


n = 3, 7, 11, ...

π n2 − 4

3
Using the piecewise definition of cn , we can only consider all the odd terms because every even term (except
n = 2) is equal to 0.
√ " ∞ #
−2n2 π 2 ~
 
4 2 2π 1 X 1
Ψ(x, t) = − √ sin x + exp it (41)
π a a 2 n=1,3,5... n2 − 4 ma2

2 Problem 2
Solve the time-independent Schrodinger equation with appropriate bound-
ary conditions for an infinite square well centered at the origin [V (x) =
0, for −a/2 < x < +a/2; V (x) = ∞ otherwise]. Check that your
allowed energy are consistent with Equation 2.23, and confirm that your
ψ’s can be obtained from Equation 2.24 by the substitution x → x −
a/2.

From −a/2 to a/2 where V = 0, thus the Schrodinger equation collapses to

~2 d2 ψ
− = Eψ (42)
2m dx2
d2 ψ 2mE
= − 2 ψ = −k 2 ψ (43)
dx2 ~
√
2mE
with k = . We’ll then have
~
ψ(x) = A cos(kx) + B sin(kx) (44)
 a a
Since V x = ± = ∞, then ψ(x) = 0 at x = ± .
2 2
a h  a i h  a i
x = : 0 = A cos k + B sin k (45)
2 2 i 2 i
a h a h a
x = − : 0 = A cos k − B sin k (46)
2 2 2
We can then add (45) and (46) together, or subtract (46) from (45), to make

h  a i
0 =2A cos k (47)
h  a2 i
0 = −2B sin k (48)
2
This has solutions

a π nπ
k =n →k= , n is odd (49)
2 2 a
a 2nπ nπ
k = nπ → k = = , n is even (50)
2 a a
If we want to normalize this, we’ll find that we’ll get the same normalization constant as,

Z a/2     a/2
1 2nπ 1 a 2nπ 
1 ± cos x dx = x± cos x  (51)
2 −a/2 a 2 2nπ a 
−a/2
1a 1 −a 1
= +0− −0= a (52)
22 2 2 2
and so

a  nπ  Z a A2
Z   
2nπ 1
A2 cos2 x = 1 + cos x dx = a (53)
0 a 0 2 a 2
Z a  nπ  Z a A2
  
2nπ 1
B 2 sin2 x = 1 − cos x dx = a (54)
0 a 0 2 a 2

4
 r
2
so we find that A = B = . Thus
a
 r
2 nπ


cos a x n = odd



ψn (x) = r a
 2 nπ



 sin a x n = even
a

3 Problem 3
A particle in the infinite square well has as its initial wave function an even mixture of the first two stationary
states:

Ψ(x, 0) = A[ψ1 (x) + ψ2 (x)] (55)

a. Normalize Ψ(x, 0). (That is, find A. That is very easy if you exploit the orthonormality of ψ1 and ψ2 . Recall
that, having normalized Ψ at t = 0, you can rest assured that it stays normalized —if you doubt this, check it
explicitly after doing part b.

b. Find Ψ(x, t) and |Ψ(x, t)|2 . (Express the latter in terms of sinusoidal functions of time, eliminating the
exponentials with the help of Euler’s formula. Let ω = π 2 ~/2ma2 .

c. Compute hxi. Notice that it oscillates in time. What is the frequency of oscillation? What is the amplitude
of the oscillation? (If your amplitude is greater than a/2, go directly to jail.)

d. Compute hpi.

e. Find the expectation value of H. How does it compare with E1 and E2 ?

f. A classical particle in this well would bounce back between the walls. If its energy is equal to the expectation
value you found in (e), what is the frequency of the classical motion? How does it compare with the quantum
frequency you found in (c)?

3.1 Normalization
The problem states that the initial state of the wave function is the combination of the first two stationary states,
π   
2π
ψ1 (x) = sin x and ψ2 (x) = sin x (56)
a a
Thus our wave function then looks like
"r #
2 π  r2 
2π
Ψ(x, 0) = A sin x + sin x (57)
a a a a
r     
2 π 2π
Ψ(x, 0) = A sin x + sin x (58)
a a a
To normalize this, we use the formula

Z ∞
1= Ψ∗ Ψ dx (59)
−∞
Z ∞
"r r
 #∗ "r
π  r2  #
∗ 2 2
π  2π 2 2π
= A sin x +
sin x A sin x + sin x dx (60)
−∞ a a a a a a a a
2
2 a 2
Z    
π 2π
= A sin x + sin x dx (61)
a 0 a a
Z a
2 a 2
   Z  
2 2 2 π
 
2 2π π  2π
= A sin x + sin x dx + 2A sin x sin x dx (62)
a 0 a a a 0 a a
π   
2π
Since sin x and sin x are orthogonal, their definite integral from 0 to a is 0.
a a

5
 2 a 2
Z  π   
2π
= A sin sin2 x + sin2 x dx (63)
a 0 a a
2 1 a
Z      
2π 4π
= A2 1 − cos x + 1 − cos x dx (64)
a 2 0 a a
A2 a
Z     
2π 4π
= 2 − cos x − cos x dx (65)
a 0 a a
a
A2
   
a 2π a 2π 
= 2x − sin x − sin x  (66)
a 2π a 4π a 0
A2
= (2a − 0 − 0 − 0 + 0 + 0) = A2 a (67)
a
1
A= √ (68)
a
Then the normalized wave function would look like
"r #
1 2 π  r2 
2π
Ψ(x, 0) = √ sin x + sin x (69)
a a a a a
√     
2 π 2π
Ψ(x, 0) = sin x + sin x (70)
a a a

3.2 Time-dependent wavefunction

The Ψ(x, t) can be obtained by tacking on the e−iEt/~ ,

"r  r #
12 π 2 ~2 1 22 π 2 ~2 1
   
1 2 π  2 2π
Ψ(x, t) = √ sin x exp −i t + sin x exp −i t (71)
a a a 2ma2 ~ a a 2ma2 ~
√      
2 π −iωt 2π −4iωt
= sin x e + sin x e (72)
a a a
If we want to get |Ψ(x, t)|2 , we’ll use the formula

|Ψ(x, t)|2 = Ψ∗ (x, t)Ψ(x, t) (73)

(√    )∗
2 π 
−iωt 2π −4iωt
= sin x e + sin x e
a a a
√       (74)
2 π 2π
· sin x e−iωt + sin x e−4iωt
a a a
    π 
2  π  2π π 
= 2 sin2 x + sin2 x + (e3iωt + e−3iωt ) sin x sin 2 x (75)
a a a a a
   
2  π  2π  π   π 
= 2 sin2 x + sin2 x + (2 cos(3ωt)) sin x sin 2 x (76)
a a a a a

3.3 Mean position

The mean position of a particle can be computed using the formula

Z ∞ Z ∞
hxi = Ψ∗ xΨ dx = xΨ∗ Ψ dx (77)
−∞ −∞
Z a     π 
2 π  2π π 
= 2 x sin2 x + sin2 x + (2 cos(3ωt)) sin x sin 2 x dx (78)
a 0 a a a a
Z a    Z a
2 π  2π 2 π   π 
= 2 x sin2 x + sin2 x dx + 2 (2 cos(3ωt)) sin x sin 2 x dx (79)
a 0 a a a 0 a a
2 4
= 2 Icesis + 2 cos(3ωt)Couture (80)
a a

6
We can use tabular integration by parts on Icesis

Derive Integrate
    2
π 2π
x sin x + sin x
 a  a  
1 a 2π a 4π
1 2x − sin x − sin x
 2 2π  a  4π  a 
1 2  a 2 2π a 2 4π
0 x + cos x + cos x
2 2π a 4π a

Then, the integral would then collapse to this

    a   2      a
2 x a 2π a 4π  − 2 1 x2 + a
 2π a 2 4π 
= 2
2x − sin x − sin x 2
cos x + cos x 
a 2 2π a 4π a 
0 a 2 2π a 4π a 
0
(81)
2 ha i 2 1
(2a) − 0 − 0 − 0 + 0 + 0 − 2 a2 + 0 + 0 − 0 − 0 = 2 − 1 = 1

= 2 (82)
a 2 a 2
and also on Couture,

Derive Integrate
1
cos πa x − cos 3π



x a x
 2  
1 a π  a 3π
1 sin x − sin x
2 π a 3π a  
1  a 2  π   a 2 3π
0 − cos x − cos x
2 π a 3π a

So,

   a   a 
4 x a π  a 3π  1  a 2  π   a 2 3π 
= 2 cos(3ωt) sin x − sin x  +
 cos x − cos x  (83)
a 2 π a 3π a 0 2 π a 3π a 0
     
4 1 a 2  a 2 1  a 2  a 2
= 0 + 2 cos(3ωt) cos (π) − cos (3π) − cos (0) − cos (0) (84)
a 2 π 3π 2 π 3π
     2 
2 a 2  a 2  a 2  a 2 2 a 1 1
= 2 cos(3ωt) − + − + = 2 cos(3ωt) −1 + − 1 + (85)
a π 3π π 3π a π2 9 9
 
2 8 16
= 2 cos(3ωt) − = − 2 cos(3ωt) (86)
π 9 9π

Then

16
hxi = 1 − cos(3ωt) (87)
9π 2
We see that the mean position is oscillatory, and it has a period of

2π
T = (88)
3ω

3.4 Mean momentum

The mean momentum of a wavefunction using the formula

7
 Z ∞
∂
hpi = Ψ∗ (x, t) · −i~ Ψ(x, t) dx (89)
−∞ ∂x
Z a√       √      
2 π +iωt 2π +4iωt ∂ 2 π −iωt 2π −4iωt
= sin x e + sin x e · −i~ sin x e + sin x e dx (90)
0 a a a ∂x a a a
Z a        
−2i~ π 2π π π  2π 2π
= sin x e +iωt
+ sin x e +4iωt
cos x e−iωt + cos x e−3iωt dx (91)
a2 0 a a a a a a
Z a a   
−2i~
Z
π π  π   π  2π 2π
= sin x cos x dx + sin x cos x e−3iωt dx
a2 0 a a a 0 a a a
Z a   Z a      (92)
−2i~ 2π π π 
+3iωt 2π 2π 2π
+ 2 sin x cos x e dx + sin x cos x dx
a 0 a a a 0 a a a
 
−2i~ π 2π π 2π
hpi = A+ B+ C+ D (93)
a2 a a a a
We can look at A and D, they look really similar so we can make a general formula to ease ourselves

a
1 a
Z  nπ   nπ  Z  
2nπ
sin x cos x dx = sin x dx (94)
0 a a 2 0 a
 a
1  a  2nπ 
=− cos x  (95)
2 2nπ a 0
a
=− (cos(2nπ) − cos(0)) = 0 (96)
4nπ
Thus, A = D = 0. Then, looking at B and C,

2i~ a 2π 1
Z       
π 2π π 2π
=− 2 sin + x + sin − x e−3iωt dx
a 0 a 2 a a a a
(97)
2i~ a π 1
Z       
2π π 2π π
− 2 sin + x + sin − x e+3iωt dx
a 0 a2 a a a a
2i~ a π
Z     π      π 
3π −3iωt π 3π
=− 2 sin x − sin x e + sin x + sin x e−3iωt dx (98)
a 0 a a a 2a a a
    π  a     π  a 
2i~ π a 3π a −3iωt 
 1 a 3π a +3iωt 

=− 2 sin x − sin x e + sin x + sin x e (99)
a a 3π a π a 
0 2 3π a π a 
0
    
2i~ 1 −3iωt 1 1 +3iωt
=− 2 (−1 − (−1)) − (−1 − (−1)) e + (−1 − (−1)) − (−1 − (−1)) e (100)
a 3 2 3
      
2i~ 2 1 2 2i~ 4 −3iωt 4 +3iωt
=− 2 − + 2 e−3iωt − + 2 e+3iωt = − 2 e + e (101)
a 3 2 3 a 3 3
 −3iωt +3iωt

2~ 4 e +e 16 ~
= 2 = sin(3ωt) (102)
a 3 i 3 a2
Thus

16 ~
hpi = sin(3ωt) (103)
3 a

3.5 Expectation value of energy

The expectation value of energy of a wavefunction is given by

∞
−~2 ∂ 2 Ψ
Z
hHi = Ψ∗ dx (104)
−∞ 2m ∂x2
−~2 a 1
Z      2     
π 2π ∂ 1 π 2π
= √ sin x + sin x √ sin x + sin x dx (105)
2m 0 a a a ∂x2 a a a
" #
−~2 a
Z   
π

2π
  π 2  π   2π 2 
2π
= sin x + sin x − sin x − sin x (106)
2ma 0 a a a a a a

8
 ~2
Z a  π 2  π   2π 2 
2π
  π 2 π  
2π

= sin2 x + sin2 x +5 sin x sin x dx (107)
2ma 0 a a a a a a a

We know that that third term would be equal to 0 from other integrals that we have solved a few pages ago.
Then the first and second terms can be computed generally with

a
1 a
Z  nπ  Z  
2nπ
sin2 x dx = 1 − cos x dx (108)
0 a 2 0 a
  a
a 2nπ 
= 1− sin x  (109)
2nπ a 0
1 1
= (a − 0 − 0 + 0) = a (110)
2 2
and we find out that this integral doesn’t depend on n at all! Thus,

~2 π 2 1 4π 2 1
     
= a + 2 a +0 (111)
2ma a2 2 a 2
~2 π 2 1 4
 
= + (112)
2ma2 2 2

5π 2 ~2
hHi = (113)
4ma2
Now how would this compare to the first two energies? We find using the formula from Problem 1 that

π 2 ~2 2π 2 ~2
E1 = and E2 = (114)
2ma2 ma2
5
Since is equal to 1.25, we find that the expectation value is between E1 and E2 .
4

3.6 Period of oscillation

If the kinetic energy of the particle is the same as its expectation value, we’ll have

1 5 π 2 ~2
mv 2 = K = (115)
2 4 ma2
5 π 2 ~2
v2 = (116)
2 m2 a2
r
5 π~
v= (117)
2 ma
Then, the angular velocity can be expressed as

v
= ω = 2πf (118)
2a
r
1 5 π~ 2π
= (119)
2a 2 ma T

2ma2
T = (120)
~