Physics 139A Homework 4

Eric Reichwein
Department of Physics
University of California, Santa Cruz
May 23, 2013

1 Problem 4.9
A particle of mass m is placed in a finite spherical well:
(
0, r>a
V (x) =
−V0 , r≤a

Solve the radial equation for the for the ground state case.
1.1 Solution to Problem 4.9
There are two regions for the finite spherical well. The region outside the well, r > a, and the region that is inside the
well, r ≤ a. Let us write out Schrodinger’s equation for both inside and outside the well. Note that since the particle is
bound to within the well its overall energy is E < 0. I will right E as the magnitude and carry around the negative value.
First note that ` = 0 hence we don’t have an ”effective” potential to account for.
Inside the well: Outside the well:
d2 u d2 u
   
`(` + 1) 2 `(` + 1) 2
= − k − V0 u = −k u
dr2 r2 dr2 r2
d2 u  2  d2 u  2 
= −k − V 0 u = −k u
dr2 dr2
d2 u d2 u
= − k 2 + V0 u = − k2 u
 
dr 2 dr2

This has solution This has solution

u(r) = Asin(κr) + Bcos(κr) u(r) = Ce−kr + Dekr

−2mE
Where κ2 = k 2 + V0 = 2m(E+V0 ) Where k 2 = h̄2
h̄2

Now physically the wavefunction must go to zero when outside the well, because it is a bound state. The general solution
for this is This must mean that for r < −a then A = 0, and for x > a then B = 0. Since ` = 0 we are do not have to deal
with with general spherical bessel and neumann functions. We know that u(r) = R(r)/r so let us examine the boundary
conditions closely. At r −→ 0 we have u(r) = A sin(κr)/r + B cos(κr)/r. We know from Taylor expansion that the cosine
term is singular at r = 0, but the sine over r term goes to 1, therefore B = 0. Outside the well we have just a decaying
exponential (the exponential term dominates the 1/r) hence D = 0. The final solution is
(
A sin(κr)/r, r < a
V (x) =
Ce−kr , r>a
Now that we have the general wavefunction we must now impose boundary conditions. At the walls of the well the
wavefunction should be smooth and continuous.
Continuous Condition: Smoothness Condition:
 
Rin (a) =Rout (a) ∂Rin (r)  ∂Rout (r) 
=
∂r r=a ∂r 
A sin(κa)/a =De−ka x=r
κAcos(κa)/a = − kDe−ka

1
 Now to get rid of the constants and the exponential we will divide both equations by eachother. This will tell us when
for what values of κ and k there will be stationary states. The condition that tells us the quantization is
k
κcot(κa) = −k −→ − = cot(ka)
k
By squaring the separation constants (k and κ) and adding them we get
r
2 2m(V0 − E) 2mE
2 2mV0 κ 2mV0
k +κ = + 2 = −→ = −1
h̄2 h̄ h̄2 k k 2 h̄2
√
a 2mV0
Now defining z = ka and z0 = h̄ we can rewrite the last expressions as
r r
κ 2mV0 z02
− =− 2 − 1 = cot(ka) −→ − 1 = −cot(z)
k 2
k h̄ z2
The condition for a bound state is when z0 < z and when z < π/2. Putting these together we get
√
a 2mV0 π π 2 h̄2
< −→ V0 a2 <
h̄ 2 8m

2 Problem 4.13
(a) Find hri and hr2 i for an electron in the ground state of hydrogen. Express your answers in terms of the Bohr Radius.

(b) Find hxi and hx2 i for an electron in the ground state of hydrogen.

(c) Find hx2 i in the state n = 2, ` = 1, m = 1.

2.1 Solution to Problem 4.13 Part A

We start with the definition of the expectation value of r
Z
hri = Ψ∗100 rΨ100 r2 sin θdrdθdφ
Z
1
= 4πr3 e−2r/a dr
πa3
Z ∞
4
= r3 e−2r/a dr
a3 0
Z ∞ 3
4 a 3 −u a (1)
= u e du
a3 0 8 2
4 a4  −u ∞
= 3
e (−r3 − 3r2 − 6r − 6) 0
a 16
a
= [6]
4
2a
=
3

Where I have evaluated the integral using Wolfram after simplifying it by u-substitution. Now we will evaluate the
expectation value of the radial distance squared

2
 Z
2
hr i = Ψ∗100 r2 Ψ100 r2 sin θdrdθdφ
Z
1
= 4πr4 e−2r/a dr
πa3
Z ∞
4
= r4 e−2r/a dr
a3 0
Z ∞ 4
4 a 3 −u a (2)
= 3
u e du
a 0 16 2
4 a5  −u ∞
= 3
e (−r4 − 4r3 − 12r2 − 24r − 24) 0
a 32
a2
= [24]
8
= 3a

2.2 Solution to Problem 4.13 Part B

The expectation value of x of the hydrogen wavefunction will be found the same way as r in part A, except that
r 2 = x2 + y 2 + z 2 .
Z
hri = Ψ∗100 xΨ100 dxdydzhri
Z √  (3)
1 −2 x2 +y 2 +z 2 /a
= xe dx dydz hri = 0
πa3

This integral is zero because we are integrating an odd function over a symmetric region. For x2 we first notice that x is
an arbitrary direction. This means x, y and z have equal weights. Therefore, we can say that the expectation value of x2 is
just one third of the expectation value of r2 . We also see that the expectation value of x2 does not produce an odd function
hence it will not be zero.

1 2 1
hx2 i = hr i = 3a2 = a2
3 3
2.3 Solution to Problem 4.13 Part C
I looked up the wavefunction of an electron in this state on http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/Finley/P262/Hydrogen/WaveFcns.html
It is given as
1 r
√ sin θe−r/2a eiφ
8 π a3/2
For the hydrogen in the n = 2, ` = 1, m = 1 state we have to use x = r sin theta cos φ. Now we just integrate with respect
to x over all space with our definition of x in spherical polar coordinates.
Z
2
hx i = Ψ∗211 x2 Ψ211 r2 sin θdrdθdφ
Z
= |Ψ∗211 |2 (r sin θ cos φ)2 r2 sin θdrdθdφ
Z
1
= r2 e−r/a sin2 θ)(r2 sin2 θ cos2 φr2 sin θdrdθdφ
64πa5
Z ∞ Z Z
1 6 −r/a 5 (4)
= r e dr sin θdθ cos2 φdφ
64πa5 0
 
1  7  16
= a 6! [π]
64πa5 15
1   16π
= 5
720a7
64πa 15
= 12a2

3 Problem 4.16
Determine the Bohr energies En (Z), the binding energy E1 (Z), the Bohr radius a(Z), and the Rydberg constant R(Z)
for a hydrogenic atom. Where in the electromagnetic spectrum would the Lyman series fall, for Z = 2 and Z = 3?

3
3.1 Solution to Problem 4.16
For the hydrogen atom the Bohr energies are
" 2 #
e2

m 1
En = −
2h̄2 4π0 n2

We see that this has an e4 dependence. However, we need to see where the inner e2 came from. It comes from Coulomb
potential between a proton and the electron. For Hydrogenic atoms this Coulomb potential is (Ze)(e) = Ze2 . Hence the
Bohr energies are
" 2 #
Ze2

m 1 En
En (Z) = − =− 2
2h̄2 4π0 n 2 Z

For the binding energy E1 (Z) we just evaluate all the terms. However, we can factor out our Z 2 and we are just left with
the binding energy of hydrogen, −13.6eV , times the Z 2 .

E1 (Z) = −Z 2 (13.6eV ) = −Z 2 E1
We use the same analysis as finding the Bohr energy of hydrogenic atoms as to find the Bohr radius. Hence, we just
change e2 −→ Ze2 of equation 4.72.

4π0 h̄2 1 a
a(Z) = =
me2 Z Z
The Rydberg constant is
2
Ze2

m
R(Z) = = Z 2R
4πch̄3 4π0
Where R is the Rydberg constant of the Hydrogen atom. For Lyman series the resulting electromagnetic spectrum will
be characterized by the energies
!
2 1 1
∆En (Z) = −Z (13.6eV ) − 2
n2i nf
For Z = 2 the resulting electromagnetic radiation emitted for the Lyman series is
 
1 −3
∆E2→1 (2) = −4(13.6eV ) 2
− 1 = −4(13.6eV ) = 40.8eV
2 4
This is the lowest energy photon emitted. The highest energy photon emitted would be when ni = ∞ which would just
give Emax = 4(13.6eV ) = 54.4eV
·nm
This range of energies can be converted to wavelengths using λ = 1240eV
E . The corresponding range of wavelengths are
30.4nm to 22.8nm which would put the radiation in the extreme ultraviolet range.
For the Z = 3 case we have
 
1 3
E2→1 (3) = −9(13.6eV ) − 1 = 9(13.6eV ) = 91.8eV
2 4
Once again this is the lowest energy photon emitted. All other transitions would produce light of higher frequency. The
highest frequency of light would be when ni −→ ∞.

E∞→1 (3) = 9(13.6eV ) = 122.4eV

This corresponds to a range of wavelengths of 13.5nm to 10.1nm where both of these lay in the extreme ultraviolet range,
almost x-ray range.

4
4 Problem 4.17
Consider the earth-sun system as a gravitational analog to the hydrogen atom.
(a) What is the potential energy function?

(b) What is the ”Bohr radius.” ag , for this system?

(c) Write down the gravitationalp”Bohr formula”, and, by equating En to the classical energy of a planet in a circular orbit
of radius r0 , show that n = r0 /ag . From thus, estimate the quantum number n of the earth.

4.1 Solution to Problem 4.17 Part A

The potential energy of the system is purely gravitational, unlike the hydrogen atom which is purely electrostatic. Hence
we have to replace the Coulomb potential with a gravitational potential.

e2 Mm
Vhydrogen (r) = −k −→ Vsolar (r) = −G
r r
Where G is a constant, m is the mass of the earth and M is the mass of the sun.
4.2 Solution to Problem 4.17 Part B
All we need to do here is replace e2 with M m and k = 1/(4π0 ) with G . Using this substitution with equation 4.72 we
get

h̄2
ag = ≈ 2.3410−138 m
Gm2 M

4.3 Solution to Problem 4.17 Part C

The Bohr formula is given as equation 4.70,
"  2 2 #  
m e 1 m 2 1
En = − −→ En = − (GM m)
2h̄2 4π0 n2 2h̄2 n2
Now the energy of a circular orbit planet is just
GM m
Ep = −
2r0
which was shown in numerous times (including deriving the Bohr Formula) by relating the force to the centripetal
acceleration and re-writing it as the kinetic energy. Now setting both of these equal we get

Ep =En
 
GM m m 2 1
− =− (GM m)
2r0 2h̄2 n2
 
1 m 1
=GM m
2r0 2h̄2 n2
GM m2
n2 =r0
h̄2
r
GM m2
q
n = r0 = r0 /ag
h̄2

Plugging in the numbers we get an approximation

r
1.514 × 1011 m
q
n = r0 /ag = ≈ 6 × 1074
2.34 × 10−138 m

5
4.4 Solution to Problem 4.17 Part D
The energy of a transition from n + 1 to n state is given by
  
m 2 1 1
∆Eg = − (GM m) − 2
2h̄2 (n + 1)2 n
Here we have n extremely large so that in this form we could not calculate the change in energy due to a change in state.
We must use binomial theorem to simplify this result to something calculable. We must get the expression of n in terms of
(1 ± x)m where x << 1 for us to be able to binomially expand it out 1 . Starting with the 1/(n − 1)2 term we factor out a n
resulting in

(n + 1)−2 = n−2 (1 + 1/n)−2 ≈ n−2 (1 − 2/n)

Plugging this back in we get

      
m 2 1 1 m 2 1 m 2 1
∆Eg ≈ − (GM m) (−2/n + 1) − 2 = 2 (GM m) ((−2/n + 1) − 1) = − 2 (GM m)
2h̄2 n 2 n 2h̄ n2
h̄ n3
Now by plugging in numbers for the variables we get

∆g ≈ 2.1 × 10−41 J = 1.3 × 10−22 eV

And the corresponding wavelength of a photon emitted is given by

hc 1240ev · nm 1240ev · nm
λ= = = = 9.55 × 1024 nm ≈ 1Lightyear
E E 2.1 × 10−22
This is a remarkable result because the wavelength of the photon emitted due to a transition on earth between two
preceding states is equivalent to the length light travels in one revolution of earths orbit.

5 Problem 4.24
Two particles of mass m are attached to the ends of a massless rigid rod of length a. The system is free rotate in three
dimensions about the center (but the center point itself is fixed).
(a) Show that the allowed energies of this rigid rotor are

h̄2 n(n + 1)
En = for n = 0, 1, 2...
ma2

(b) What are the normalized eigenfunctions for this system? What is the degeneracy of the nth energy level?
5.1 Solution to Problem 4.24 Part A
The classical energy is just the sum of the kinetic and potential energies. However, there is no potential energy in this
system. Since the rod can rotate in three directions there will be three contributions to the kinetic energy for each dimension.
The moment of inertia of one ball is mr2 (the 2 is for the two masses). Also note that L = Iω.
E =KEx + KEy + KEz
1 1 1
E = Iωx2 + Iωy2 + Iωz2
2 2 2
1 2 2 1 2 2 1
E = I ωx + I ωy + I 2 ωz2
2I 2I 2I
1 1 1
E = L2x + L2y + L2z
2I 2I 2I
1
L2x + L2y + L2z


E=
2I
1
L2 + L2y + L2z


E=
2ma2 x
1
E= L2
2ma2

1 The n(n−1) 2
first few terms of the binomial expansion is (1 + x)n ≈ 1 + nx + 2
x + ...

6
 Here is where we make the transition from classical to quantum mechanical. We replace the classical angular momentum
squared by the quantized angular momentum squared (L2 → L̂2 = h̄2 `(` + 1)).
1 1
E= L2 −→ En = h̄2 `(` + 1)
2ma2 2ma2
But now since there is two balls we multiply this answer by two to get the total quantized energy.

h̄2 `(` + 1) h̄2 `(` + 1)

En = 2 =
2ma2 ma2

5.2 Solution to Problem 4.24 Part B

The only possible normalizable eigenfunctions for a rigid rotor would have to be purely angular dependence and give us
energy eigenvalues proportional to `(` + 1). The only functions these could be are the spherical harmonics.

Ψ(θ, φ) = Y`m
0 (θ, φ)

Where `0 is the angular momentum quantum number and ` is the energy. This was sloppy notation of me due to the fact
I used ` as the principle quantum number instead n in Part A. Eigenfunctions of spherical harmonics have a degeneracy of
2` + 1 .

6 Problem 4.33
An electron is at rest in an oscillating magnetic field

B = B0 cos(ωt)k̂

(a) Construct the Hamiltonian matrix for this system.

(x)
(b) The electron starts out (at t = 0) in the spin-up state with respect to the x-axis (that is: χ(0) = χ+ ). Determine the
χ(t) at any subsequent time.

(c) Find the probability of getting −h̄/2, if you measure Sx .

(d) What is the minimum field (B0 ) required to force a complete flip in Sx .

6.1 Solution to Problem 4.33 Part A

Since the electron is at rest there is no kinetic energy term. Hence the only contribution to the Hamiltonian is the
interaction between the magnetic field and the spin of the electron. According to equation 4.158 the Hamiltonian is
 
h̄B0 cos(ωt) 1 0
H = −γB · S = γ
2 0 −1

Where the I only used Sz because the magnetic field is entirely in the ẑ direction. And therefore the dot product only
gives a the z component of the Pauli spin vector.
6.2 Solution to Problem 4.33 Part B
We start with the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in the form of equation 4.162
    
∂χ d α h̄B0 cos(ωt) 1 0 α
ih̄ = Hχ −→ ih̄ =γ
∂t dt β 2 0 −1 β
To solve this system of equations we first just solve alpha dependent equation, then the beta dependent equation. We
can do this because the equations are completely independent (no cross terms).

7
 dα h̄B0 cos(ωt)
ih̄ =γ α
dt 2
dα B0 cos(ωt)
i =γ dt
α 2
Z α Z t
dα B0
i =γ cos(ωt)dt
α 2
B0
i ln(α) =γ sin(ωt) + C
2ω
B0
ln(α) = − iγ sin(ωt) − iC
2ω
B0
α =Ae−iγ 2ω sin(ωt)

√ √
Where A = e−iC . We use our initial conditions to solve for A. At t = 0 then α = 1/ 2 hence A = 1/ 2.

B0
α= √1 e−iγ 2ω sin(ωt)
2

Then to solve for beta we do the same thing

dβ h̄B0 cos(ωt)
ih̄ =−γ β
dt 2
dβ B0 cos(ωt)
i =−γ dt
β 2
Z β
B0 t
Z
dβ
i =−γ cos(ωt)dt
β 2
B0
i ln(β) =γ sin(ωt) + C
2ω
B0
ln(β) = − iγ sin(ωt) − iC
2ω
B0
β =Be−iγ 2ω sin(ωt)

√ √
Where B = e−iC . We use our initial conditions to solve for B. At t = 0 then β = 1/ 2 hence B = 1/ 2.

B0
β= √1 e−iγ 2ω sin(ωt)
2

Therefore combining these results into our time dependent spinor we get
 
B0
1  eiγ 2ω sin(ωt) 
 
α
χ(t) = =√ B
β 2 e−iγ 2ω0 sin(ωt)

6.3 Solution to Problem 4.33 Part C

The probability of the electron being in the spin-up state is given by the inner product of the spin state it is in and the
desired spin state.

8
 P (↑) = |hχx− |χi|2

α 2
  
 1
=  √ 1 −1 
2 β 
  2
B
iγ 2ω0 sin(ωt)
 
 1
1 e 
=  √ 1 −1 √
  B0
 
 2 2 e −iγ sin(ωt) 
2ω
(5)

  2
 iγ B0 sin(ωt) B
−iγ 2ω0 sin(ωt) 
 e 2ω − e
= 
 
 2 

= i sin2 γ B 2


2ω sin(ωt)
0

= sin2 γ B


2ω sin(ωt)
0

6.4 Solution to Problem 4.33 Part C

The electron will be forced to fully flip when the probability of it flipping is 1, P (↑) = 1.

πω
1 = P (↑) = sin2 γ B B0


2ω sin(ωt) =⇒ γ 2ω = π/2 =⇒ B0 = γ
0

Where we have ignored the sine term in the sine squared term because that is oscillating in time. We just want an
arbitrary time when it is maximum of course.