Scribd
Upload
71 views2 pages

Homework Set 4: Due September 4

This document contains two homework problems about quantum mechanics. The first problem involves calculating properties of a free particle wave packet at different times, including its position, momentum, and uncertainties. The second problem considers a particle confined in a 1D infinite square well potential and calculates the energy eigenstates, energies, and uncertainties in position and momentum.

Uploaded by

jog10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
71 views2 pages

Homework Set 4: Due September 4

This document contains two homework problems about quantum mechanics. The first problem involves calculating properties of a free particle wave packet at different times, including its position, momentum, and uncertainties. The second problem considers a particle confined in a 1D infinite square well potential and calculates the energy eigenstates, energies, and uncertainties in position and momentum.

Uploaded by

jog10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Homework Set 4

Due September 4

1. In this problem we consider the spreading of wave packets of a free particle in one dimension.
The Hamiltonian is

p2
H= (1)
2m

(a) Let the wave function at time t = 0 be

2 /(4L2 )
ψ0 (x) = ψ(x, t = 0) = Ce−x , (2)

where C and L are constants (with L real).


Normalize the wave function and find C, choosing C real and positive, C > 0.
p
Then determine hxi, hpi and ∆x ≡ hx2 i − hxi2 at t = 0.
(b) Compute the initial momentum space wave function ψ0 (p), and from that compute
p
∆p ≡ hp2 i − hpi2 .
Compare ∆x∆p to the minimum value allowed by the uncertainty principle
(c) Now compute ψ(p, t) for any time t. Use it to find hpi and ∆p for any time t.
(d) Now compute ψ(x, t) for any time t. Express your answer in terms of the quantity,

it~
D =L+ , (3)
2mL

(a useful abbreviation). Then find hxi and ∆x for any time t. Notice what happens to
the product ∆x∆p for times t > 0.
(e) If you had not done a detailed calculation you could estimate ∆x as a function of t
by using the uncertainty principle. Do this and compare to the results of the detailed
calculation

1
2. Consider a single, spinless particle moving in one dimension, confined by rigid walls at x = 0
and x = a.
That is, a particle in an infinite square well

p2
H= + V (x), (4)
2m



 ∞ x>a

V (x) = 0 0 ≤ x ≤ a , (5)


∞ x < 0

so that the wavefunction satisfies the free particle Schrödinger equation for 0 ≤ x ≤ a, but
the probability of measuring the particle with position x < 0 or x > a is zero.

(a) Find an expression for the energy eigenstates ψn (x) and eigenvalues En . Is there any
degeneracy?
(b) For each energy eigenstate, evaluate

∆x2 ∆p2 ≡ hx2 i − hxi2 hp2 i − hpi2


 
(6)

(c) For which energy eigenstate is this the smallest? How does it compare to the minimum
allowed by the uncertainty principle?

You might also like