Quantum Mechanics Tutorial-2

Kirtee Poonia
November 2, 2021

Q.1 Show that the group velocity of a wave packet representing a free par-
ticle of momentum p and energy E is equal to the particle’s velocity and twice
the phase velocity.

Q.2 A normalized Gaussian wave packet, at time t = 0, is described by the

wave function,
x2
Ψ(x) = √ 1 1 exp(ιkx − 2d2)
dπ 4
Compute the expectation values of x, x2 , p and p2 . Hence prove that the un-
certainty product is
2
(∆x)2 (∆p)2 = h̄4 .
Interpret the results.

Q.3 Consider
( the following normalized wave function at time t = 0:
ιp0 x
1
√ e h̄ for |x| ≤ L
Ψ(x) = 2L
0 for |x| > L
Determine the momentum space wave function. Discuss its physical meaning.

Q.4 (a) Prove that for a well behaved wave function Ψ(x), the action of
operators (i) x̂pˆx and (ii) pˆx x̂ gives different results.
(b) Find an operator whose action on Ψ(x) is equivalent to the action of oper-
ator (x̂p̂ − p̂x̂).

Q.5 (a) Show that the position operator x̂ is Hermitian.

(b) Show that the momentum operator pˆx = −ιh̄∂/∂x is a Hermitian operator.

Q.6 Show that the wave functions Ψ1 (x) = A1 cos(nπx/a) and Ψ2 (x) =
A2 sin(nπx/a) are orthogonal wave-functions.

Q.7 Obtain the energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for a particle in one
dimensional infinite potential well. Show that the eigenfunctions are orthogonal.

Q.8 Find value of mean kinetic energy and mean potential energy for one
dimensional harmonic oscillator in its ground state.

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 Q.9 Calculate the most probable radius (distance from the nucleus) at which
an electron will be found when it occupies a 1s-orbital of a hydrogen atom.

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Q.10 Calculate < r >, < r2 >, < r > and < V (r) > for H-atom in its ground
state.

Q.11 What is Stern-Gerlach experiment? Explain. Show that this experi-

ment reveals that the spin quantum number for electron is 1/2.

Q.12 In a normal Zeeman effect, the spectral line of wavelength 5000 Å splits
into three lines. If the separartion between two successive lines is 1.1×10−3 Å,
estimate the strength of the applied magnetic field.

Q.13 The ground state of a carbon atom has the configuration (1s)2 (2s)2 (2p)2 .
Determine the terms that would arise in LS−coupling.

e2 1
Q.14 Why the dimensionless constant, α = 4πϵ0 h̄c ∼ 137 , is called the fine
structure constant?

Q.15 The radial distribution function P (r), is a probability density in the

sense that, when it is multiplied by dr, it gives the probability of finding the elec-
tron anywhere between the two walls of a spherical shell of thickness dr at the
radius. Find P (r) for 1s−orbital of hydrogen atom and interpret the expression.