8.

04: Quantum Mechanics Professor Allan Adams

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Tuesday Feb 26

Problem Set 4
Due Tuesday March 5 at 11.00AM

Assigned Reading:

E&R 5all , 61,2,8

Li. 3all , 41 , 51 , 6all
Ga. 24 , 3all
Sh. 4all , 51,2

1. (10 points) Simultaneous Eigenstates

Your friend from last year’s 8.04 argues the following: If a particle is in an eigenstate of
a one-dimensional box of width L, then we know its energy exactly. We also know that
the energy in the box is purely kinetic. Hence we know the particle’s momentum exactly
as well. This contradicts the Heisenberg uncertainty relation since the uncertainty in
the particle position is finite (Δx < L). Punch a hole into your friend’s argument.

2. (10 points) Formal Properties of Energy Eigenstates

Give a physicist’s proof of the following statements regarding energy eigenfunctions:

(a) We can always choose the energy eigenstates φE (x) we work with to be purely real
functions (unlike the physical wavefunction ψ(x, t), which is necessarily complex).1
Note: This does not mean that every energy eigenfunction is real – rather, if you find an
eigenfunction that is not real, it can always be written as a complex linear combination
of two real eigenstates with the same energy.

(b) If V (x) is an even function [i.e. V (−x) = V (x)], then the energy eigenfunctions
φE (x) can always be taken to be either even or odd.2

(c) The lowest energy eigenvalue, E0 , corresponding to a normalizable eigenfunction

is strictly greater then the minimum value Vmin of the potential, V (x), i.e.3

E0 > Vmin .

1
Hint: If φE (x) is an energy eigenstate with energy eigenvalue E, what can be said about φE (x)∗ ?
2
Hint: If φE (x) is an Ê eigenstate with energy E, what can be said about φE (−x)?
2
3
Hint: Rewrite the eigen-equation as ddxψ2 = 2m�2
[V (x) − E] ψ(x) . What happens if E < Vmin ?
2 8.04: Problem Set 4

3. (20 points) Superposition in the Infinite Well

Verify (on scratch paper, no need to turn this in) the results stated in lecture for the
eigenvalues of the energy operator for the infinite potential well of width L,

0 0≤x≤L
V (x) =
∞ else

i.e. remind yourself why the energy eigenvalues are,

�2 kn2 (n + 1)π
En = kn = .
2m L

Now suppose that at t = 0 we place a particle in an infinite well in the state

� � �
1 1 1
ψA (x, 0) = φ0 (x) + φ1 (x) + φ2 (x) .
6 3 2
Note: Each step below requires relatively little computation. You will not need the functional
form of the energy eigenfunctions φn (x) to complete them, only the energy eigenvalues.

(a) How does ψA evolve with time? Write down the expression for ψA (x, t).
(b) Calculate the expectation value of the energy, (Ê), for the particle described by
ψA (x, t). Write your answer in terms of E0 . Does this quantity change with time?
(c) What is the probability of measuring the energy to equal (Ê) as a result of a
single measurement at t=0? At a later time t=t1 ?
(d) What energy values will be observed as a result of a single measurement at t=0
and with what probabilities? How do these probabilities change with time?
(e) The energy of the particle is found to be E2 as a result of a single measurement
at t=t1 . Write down the wave function ψA (x, t) which describes the state of the
particle for t > t1 . What energy values will be observed and with what probabilities
at a time t2 > t1 ?
(f) Construct another normalized wave function ψB (x, 0) which is linearly indepen­
dent of ψA (x, 0), but yields the same value of (Ê) as well as the same set of
measured energies with the same probabilities.
(g) Construct another normalized wave function ψC (x, 0) which is linearly indepen­
dent of ψA (x, 0), yields the same value of (Ê), but allows a different set of measured
energies (which may include some but not all of E0 , E1 and E2 , plus others).
8.04: Problem Set 4 3

4. (25 points) “Sloshing” Superposition State in the Infinite Potential Well

Consider a particle of mass m that is in a superposition state of the first two eigenstates
of an infinite potential well of width L,
�
r �
r � �
1 �π �
−iω0 t 1 2π
ψ(x, t) = sin x e + sin x e−iω1 t
L L L L

for 0 ≤ x ≤ L.

(a) Play around with the PhET Quantum Bound States Applet for insight into this
system. Specifically, build the above superposition state and watch the system
evolve. Print a screenshot of this superposition and include it in your pset. Ex­
periment with other superpositions, too!
(b) Verify that ψ(x, t) is properly normalized and remains so for all time t.
(c) Calculate the probability distribution P(x, t) = |ψ(x, t)|2 . What is the period T
of this superposition – i.e., after what time T will the system return to its original
configuration?
(d) Sketch the probability distribution P(x, t) evaluated at time t∗ = π �/[2(E1 − E0 )].
What fraction of T is t∗ ?
(e) What’s the probability that you find the particle in the left half of the well at
some arbitrary time t?
(f) Find the expectation value (x) of the particle’s position as a function of time.
(g) Show that the probability density P(x, t) at x = L/2 is independent of time.
(h) You’ve shown that the probability density at the center x = L/2 is time-independent.
However, the rest of the probability distribution for the particle sloshes back and
forth between the left and right halves of the well. Briefly discuss how this occurs.
Identify a modification of the initial superposition that would change this fact.
4 8.04: Problem Set 4

5. (35 points) Qualitative Properties of Energy Eigenstates

(a) Sketch qualitatively the indicated energy eigenstates of the following potential:

E6

E0

(b) Sketch qualitatively the indicated energy eigenstates of the following potential:

E2

E1

E0

(c) Sketch qualitatively the indicated eigenstates of the following potential when the
height of the central barrier is (i) V0 = 0, (ii) E1 < V0 < E2 , and (iii) E2 « V0 :

E2

E1
V0
E0

For V0 → ∞, the first two eigenstates (with energies E0 and E1 ) are well approx­
imated by superpositions of the ground states of each well. Is the ground state of
the double-well system symmetric or anti-symmetric? Why? Do you expect this
to be a general property of ground states? Very Useful Hint: Play around with the
PhET Double Well Java Applet for insight into this phenomenon!
MIT OpenCourseWare
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8.04 Quantum Physics I

Spring 2013

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