Beiser Chapter 3 Exercise 39

Question

Uncertainty Principle:
p The frequency of oscillation of a harmonic oscillator of mass m and spring
constant C is ν = C/m/2π. The energy of the oscillator is E = p2 /2m + Cx2 /2, where p is its mo-
mentum when its displacement from the equilibrium position is x. In classical physics the minimum
energy of the oscillator is Emin = 0. Use the uncertainty principle to find an expression for E in terms
of x only and show that the minimum energy is actually Emin = hν/2 by setting dE/dx = 0 and
solving for Emin .

Solution

For minimum displacement and momentum the uncertainty principle ∆x∆p ≥ ~/2 may be taken as
xp ≈ ~/2, hence
E = p2 /2m + Cx2 /2
 2
1 ~ Cx2
= +
2m 2x 2
2 2
~ Cx
= +
8mx2 2

~2
 
dE −2
= + Cx
dx 8m x3
~2
=− + Cx
4mx3

p
For minimum energy dE/dx = 0, hence (using ν = C/m/2π)
~2
Cx =
4mx3
~2
x4 =
4mC
~2

1
=
4m 4π 2 ν 2 m
~2
=
16π m2 ν 2
2
~
x2 =
4πmν

Subs for x2 and C in E

~2 Cx2
Emin = +
8mx2 2
~2 4πmν 4π 2 ν 2 m
 
~
= +
8m ~ 2 4πmν
π~ν π~ν
= +
2 2
= π~ν or hν/2

The minimum energy for a harmonic oscillator is hν/2.

J D Cain