E3-282 Basics of Semiconductor Devices & Technology

Assignment 1: Quantum Mechanics

_________________________________________________________________
Note: You are required to attempt questions of at least 50 marks with minimum questions from each section
as specified.
Section 1: History and Basics
Note: You are required to solve at least two questions from the following:

1. Is it correct to say that the maximum photoelectron energy 𝐾𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 is proportional to the frequency 𝑣 of
the incident light? If not, what would a correct statement of the relationship between 𝐾𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 and 𝑣 be?
[3]

2. Compare the properties of particles with those of waves. Why do you think the wave aspect of light was
discovered earlier than its particle aspect? [2]

3. Find the energy of a 700 nm photon? [1]

4. Find the wavelength and frequency of a 100 MeV photon. [1]

5. A 1 kW radio transmitter operates at a frequency of 880 kHz. How many photons per second does it emit?
[1]

6. Under favourable circumstances human eye can detect 1 × 10−18 𝐽 of electromagnetic energy. How many
600 nm photons does this represent? [1]

7. Light from the sun arrives at the earth, an average of 1.5 × 1011 𝑚 away, at the rate of 1.4 × 103 𝑊/𝑚2 of
area perpendicular to the direction of the light. Assume that sunlight is monochromatic with a frequency
of 5 × 1014 𝐻𝑧.
(a) How many photons fall per second on each square meter of the earth’s surface directly facing the sun?
(b) What is the power output of the sun, and how many photons per second does it emit?
(c) How many photons per cubic meter are there near the earth? [4]

8. A detached retina is being “welded” back in plane using 20 ms pulses from a 0.5 W laser operating at a
wavelength of 632 nm. How many photons are in each pulse? [2]

9. The maximum wavelength for photoelectric emission in tungsten is 230 nm. What wavelength of light
must be used in order for electrons with a maximum energy of 1.5 eV to be ejected? [1]

10. The minimum frequency for photoelectric emission in copper is 1.1 × 1015 Hz. Find the maximum energy
of the photoelectrons (in eV) when light of frequency 1.5 × 1015 Hz is directed on a copper surface. [1]

11. What is the maximum wavelength of light that will cause photoelectrons to be emitted from sodium? What
will the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons be if 200 nm light falls on a sodium surface? [2]

12. A silver ball is suspended by a string in a vacuum chamber and UV light of wavelength 200 nm is directed
at it. What electrical potential will the ball acquire as a result? [1]

13. 1.5 mW of 400 nm light is directed at a photoelectric cell. If 0.1 percent of the incident photons produce
photoelectrons, find the current in the cell. [2]

14. A metal surface illuminated by 8.5 × 1014 𝐻𝑧 light emits electrons whose maximum energy is 0.52 eV.
The same surface illuminated by 12 × 1014 𝐻𝑧 light emits electrons whose maximum energy is 1.97 eV.
From these data find the Planck’s constant and the work function of the surface. [2]
15. The work function of a tungsten surface is 5.4 eV. When the surface is illuminated by light of wavelength
175 nm, the maximum photoelectron energy is 1.7eV. Find Planck’s constant from this data. [1]

16. Show that it is impossible for a photon to give up all its energy and momentum to a free electron. This is
the reason why the photoelectric effect can take place only when photons strike bound electrons. [4]

17. What is the frequency of an x-ray photon whose momentum is1.1 × 10−23 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚/𝑠? [1]

18. How much energy must a photon have if it is to have the momentum of a 10 MeV proton? [1]

19. Consider a metal that is being welded.

(a) How hot is the metal when it radiates most strongly at 490 nm? [2]
(b) If it radiates like a blackbody, calculate the intensity of its radiation. [2]

20. Consider a star, a light bulb, and a slab of ice; their respective temperatures are 8500 K, 850 K and 273.15
K.
(a) Estimate the wavelength at which their radiated energies peak. [2]
(b) Estimate the intensities of their radiation. [2]

21. Consider a 75 W light bulb and an 850 W microwave oven. If the wavelengths of the radiation they emit
are 500 nm and 150 mm, respectively, estimate the number of photons they emit per second. Are the
quantum effects important in them? [3]

22. Assuming that a given star radiates like a blackbody, estimate

(a) the temperature at its surface and [2]
(b) the wavelength of its strongest radiation, [2]
when it emits a total intensity of 575 MWm-2
23. The intensity reaching the surface of the Earth from the Sun is about 1.36 kW m-2. Assuming
the Sun to be a sphere (of radius 6.96 × 108 m) that radiates like a blackbody, estimate
(a) the temperature at its surface and the wavelength of its strongest radiation, and [2]
(b) the total power radiated by the Sun (the Earth–Sun distance is 1.5 × 1011 m). [2]

24. Estimate the number of photons emitted per second from a 75 mW light bulb; use 575 nm as
the average wavelength of the (visible) light emitted. Is the quantum nature of this radiation important?
[3]

25. A 0.7 MeV photon scatters from an electron initially at rest. If the photon scatters at an angle
of 35o, calculate
(a) the energy and wavelength of the scattered photon, [2]
(b) the kinetic energy of the recoiling electron, and [2]
(c) the angle at which the electron recoils. [2]

26. Light of wavelength 350 nm is incident on a metallic surface of work function 1.9 eV.
(a) Calculate the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons. [2]
(b) Calculate the cutoff frequency of the metal. [2]

27. Find the wavelength of the radiation that can eject electrons from the surface of a zinc sheet with a kinetic
energy of 75 eV; the work function of zinc is 3.74 eV. Find also the cutoff wavelength of the metal.
[3]

28. If the stopping potential of a metal when illuminated with a radiation of wavelength 480 nm is 1.2 V, find
(a) the work function of the metal, [2]
(b) the cutoff wavelength of the metal, and [2]
(c) the maximum energy of the ejected electrons. [2]

29. A light source of frequency 9.5 × 1014 Hz illuminates the surface of a metal of work function
2.8 eV and ejects electrons. Calculate
(a) the stopping potential, [2]
(b) the cutoff frequency, and [2]
(c) the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons. [2]

30. Consider a metal with a cutoff frequency of 1.2 × 1014 Hz.

(a) Find the work function of the metal. [2]
(b) Find the kinetic energy of the ejected electrons when the metal is illuminated with a
radiation of frequency 7 × 1014 Hz. [2]

31. A light of frequency 7.2 × 1014 Hz is incident on four different metallic surfaces of cesium, aluminum,
cobalt, and platinum whose work functions are 2.14 eV, 4.08 eV, 3.9 eV, and 6.35 eV, respectively.
(a) Which among these metals will exhibit the photoelectric effect? [2]
(b) For each one of the metals producing photoelectrons, calculate the maximum kinetic
energy for the electrons ejected. [2]

32. Consider a metal with stopping potentials of 9 V and 4 V when illuminated by two sources of
frequencies 17 × 1014 Hz and 8 × 1014 Hz, respectively.
(a) Use these data to find a numerical value for the Planck constant. [2]
(b) Find the work function and the cutoff frequency of the metal. [2]
(c) Find the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons when the metal is illuminated
with a radiation of frequency 12 × 1014 Hz.

Section 2: Wave particle duality & Uncertainty principle

Note: You are required to solve at least two questions from the following:

33. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of

(a) an electron of kinetic energy 54 eV, [2]
(b) a proton of kinetic energy 70 MeV, [2]
(c) a 100 g bullet moving at 1200 ms-1 [2]

34. A photon and a particle have the same wavelength. Can anything be said about how their linear momentum
compare? About how many photon’s energy compares with the particle’s total energy? About how many
the photon’s energy compares with the particle’s kinetic energy? [3]

35. Find the de-Broglie wavelength of (a) an electron whose speed is 1 × 108 𝑚/𝑠 and (b) an electron whose
speed is 2 × 108 𝑚/𝑠. [2]

36. Find the de-Broglie wavelength of a 1 mg grain of sand blown by the wind at a speed of 20 m/s. [1]

37. Find the de-Broglie wavelength of the 40 keV electrons used in a certain electron microscope. [1]

38. By what percentage will a non-relativistic calculation of the de-Broglie wavelength of 100 keV electron
be in error? [2]

39. Find the de-Broglie wavelength of 1Mev proton. Is a relativistic calculation needed? [2]

40. The atomic spacing in rock salt, NaCl is 0.282 nm. Find the kinetic energy (in eV) of a neutron with a de-
Broglie wavelength of 0.282 nm. Is a relativistic calculation needed? Such neutrons can be used to study
crystal structure. [2]
41. Find the kinetic energy of an electron whose de-Broglie wavelength is the same as that of a 100 keV x-
ray. [2]

42. Green light has a wavelength of about 550 nm. Through what potential difference must an electron be
accelerated to have this wavelength? [2]

43. Show that the de Broglie wavelength of a particle of mass m and kinetic energy KE is given by

ℎ𝑐
𝜆= 1
(𝐾𝐸(𝐾𝐸 + 2𝑚𝑐 2
2 ))

[3]

44. Show that if the total energy of a moving particle greatly exceeds its rest energy, its de-Broglie wavelength
is nearly the same as the wavelength of a photon with the same total energy. [4]

45. (a) Derive a relativistically correct formula that gives the de-Broglie wavelength of a charged particle in
terms of the potential difference V through which it has been accelerated. (b) What is the non-relativistic
approximation of this formula, valid for 𝑒𝑉 ≪ 𝑚𝑐 2 ? [5]

46. Discuss the prohibition of 𝐸 = 0 for a particle trapped in a box 𝐿 wide to terms of the uncertainty principle.
How does the minimum momentum of such a particle compare with the momentum uncertainty required
by the uncertainty principle if we take = 𝐿 ? [3]

47. The atoms in a solid possess a certain minimum zero-point energy even at a 0 K, while no such restriction
holds for the molecules in an ideal gas. Use the uncertainty principle to explain these statements? [2]

48. Compare the uncertainties in the velocities of an electron and a proton confined in a 1nm box. [2]

49. The position and momentum of a 1 keV electron are simultaneously determined. If its position is located
to within 0.1 nm, what is the percentage of uncertainty in its momentum? [2]

50. (a) How much time is needed to measure the kinetic energy of an electron whose speed is 10 m/s with an
uncertainty of no more than 0.1%? How far will the electron have travelled in this period of time? (b)
Make the same calculation for a 1g insect whose speed is the same. What do these sets of figures indicate?
[5]

51. How accurately can the position of a proton with 𝑣 << 𝑐 be determined without giving it more than 1 keV
of kinetic energy? [2]

52. (a) Find the magnitude of the momentum of a particle in a box in its nth state. (b) The minimum change
in the particle’s momentum that a measurement can cause corresponds to a change of 1 in the quantum
number n. if 𝛥𝑥 = 𝐿, show that 𝛥𝑝. 𝛥𝑥 ≥ ℏ/2. [5]
53. A marine radar operating at a frequency of 9400 MHz emits group of electromagnetic waves 0.08 𝜇s in
duration. The time needed for the reflections of these groups to return indicates the distance to a target.
(a) Find the length of each group and the number of waves it contains (b) What is the approximate
minimum bandwidth the radar receiver must be able to process? [4]

54. An unstable elementary particle called the eta meson has a rest mass of 549 MeV/c2 and a mean lifetime
of 7 × 10−19 . What is the uncertainty in its rest mass? [2]
 √𝑐/𝑚
55. The frequency of oscillation of a harmonic oscillator of mass m and spring constant C is 𝑣 = . The
2𝜋
𝑝2 𝐶𝑥 2
energy of the oscillator is 𝐸 = + , where 𝑝 is its momentum when its displacement from the
2𝑚 2
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
ℎ𝑣
actually 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 = by setting 𝑑𝐸/𝑑𝑥 = 0 and solving for 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 . [4]
2

56. (a) Verify that the uncertainty principle can be expressed in the form 𝛥𝐿. 𝛥𝜃 ≥ ℎ/2, where 𝛥𝐿 is the
uncertainty in the angular momentum of a particle and 𝛥𝜃 is the uncertainty in its angular position.(Hint:
Consider a particle of mass 𝑚 moving in a circle of radius 𝑟 at the speed of 𝑣, for which 𝐿 = 𝑚𝑣𝑟.) . (b)
At what uncertainty in 𝐿 will the angular position of a particle become completely indeterminate? [4]

Section 3: Quantum Mechanics – Solving Schrödinger Wave Equation

Note: You are required to solve at least four questions from the following:

57. Obtain an expression for the energy levels (in MeV) of a neutron confined to a 1-d box 1 × 10−14 𝑚 wide.
What is the neutron’s minimum energy? [1]

58. The lowest energy possible for a certain particle trapped in a certain box is 1eV.

(a) What are the next two higher energies the particle can have?
(b) If the particle is an electron, how wide is a box? [2]

59. A proton is a 1-d box has an energy of 400 keV in its first excited state. How wide is the box? [1]

60. Which of the wave function in the figure below cannot have physical significance in the interval shown?
Why not? [5]

61. Which of the wave functions in the figure below cannot have physical significance in the interval shown?
Why not? [5]
62. Which of the following wave functions cannot be solutions of Schrodinger’s equation for all the values of
2 2
𝑥? Why not? (a) 𝜑 = 𝐴 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑥 (b) 𝜑 = 𝐴 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥 (c) 𝜑 = 𝐴 𝑒 𝑥 (d) 𝜑 = 𝐴 𝑒 −𝑥 [4]
𝑥2
63. Find the value of the normalization constant 𝐴 for the wave function 𝜑 = 𝐴𝑥 𝑒 − 2 [2]

64. The wave function of a certain particle is 𝜑 = 𝐴 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)2 for −45° < 𝑥 < 45°. (a) Find the value of 𝐴.
(b) Find the probability that the particle be found between 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 22.5° [4]

𝑥
65. The formula 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑤 (𝑡 − ), describes a wave that moves in +𝑥 direction along a stretched string.
𝑣
Show that this formula is a solution of the wave equation,
𝜕2𝑦 1 𝜕2 𝑦
= ( 2) [4]
𝜕2𝑥 𝑣 𝜕𝑡 2

66. As we know thin order to give physically meaningful results in a calculation a wave function and its
partial derivatives must be finite, continuous, single-valued and must be normalizable. Wave function of
𝑖
−(( )(𝐸𝑡−𝑝𝑥))
a particle moving freely (that is, with no forces acting on it) in the +𝑥 direction as 𝜑 = 𝐴 𝑒 ћ
where 𝐸 is the particle’s total energy and 𝑝 is its momentum. Does this wave function meet the above
requirements? If not, could a linear superposition of such wave functions meet these requirements? What
is the significance of such a superposition of wave functions? [5]

67. Prove the Schrodinger’s equation is linear by showing that

𝜑 = 𝑎1 𝜑1 (𝑥, 𝑡) + 𝑎2 𝜑2 (𝑥, 𝑡)
is also a solution of time-dependent Schrodinger equation in one-dimension, if φ1 , φ2 are themselves solutions.
[3]

68. Show that the expectation value of < 𝑝𝑥 > and < 𝑥𝑝 > are related by,
< 𝑝𝑥 > − < 𝑥𝑝 >= ℏ/𝑖 . This result is described by saying that 𝑝 and 𝑥 do not commute and it is intimately
related to the uncertainty principle. [2]

𝑑2
69. An eigenfunction of the operator is sin nx, where n=1,2,3….. . Find the corresponding eigenvalues.
𝑑𝑥 2
[2]

70. According to the correspondence principle, quantum theory should give the same results as classical
physics in the limit of large quantum numbers. Show that as 𝑛 tends to infinity, probability of finding the
trapped particle in infinite potential box, between 𝑥 and 𝑥 + 𝛥𝑥 is 𝛥𝑥/𝐿 and so is independent of 𝑥, which
is the classical expectation. [3]
71. One of the possible wave functions of a particle in the potential well shown below. Explain why the
wavelength and amplitude of φ vary as they do.

[3]

72. In case of infinite potential well, if the box extends from 𝑥 = 𝑥𝑜 to 𝑥 = 𝑥𝑜 + 𝐿, instead of 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 =
𝐿 where 𝑥𝑜 is not equal to zero, would the expression for the wave function of a particle in this box be any
different from those in the box that extends from 0 𝑡𝑜 𝐿? Would the energy levels be different? [5]

73. A rigid walled box that extends from – 𝐿 𝑡𝑜 𝐿 is divided into three sections by rigid interior walls at – 𝑥
and 𝑥 , where 𝑥 < 𝐿. Each section contains one particle in its ground state (a) What is the total energy of
the system as a function of 𝑥? (b) Sketch 𝐸(𝑥) versus 𝑥 (c) At what value of 𝑥 is 𝐸(𝑥) a minimum?
[5]

74. The expectation value < 𝑥 > of a trapped in a box 𝐿 is 𝐿/2, which means that its average position is the
middle of the box. Find the expectation value < 𝑥 2 > [1]

75. A linear combination of two wave functions for the same system is also a valid wave function. Find the
normalization constant B for the combination

𝜋𝑥 2𝜋𝑥
𝜑 = 𝐵(sin + sin )
𝐿 𝐿
Of the wave function for the 𝑛 = 1 and 𝑛 = 2 states of a particle in a box 𝐿wide. [3]

76. Find the probability that a particle in a box 𝐿 wide can be found between 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 𝐿/𝑛 when it is in
the 𝑛𝑡ℎ state. [3]

77. A particle of mass m is subjected to a potential

𝑎
0, |𝑥| <
𝑉(𝑥) = { 2
𝑎
∞, |𝑥| >
2

(a) Find the ground, first, and second excited state wave functions. [3]
(b) Find expressions for E1, E2, and E3. [3]
(c) Plot the probability densities P2 (x, t) and P3 (x, t). [2]
(d) Find 〈𝑋〉2 , 〈𝑋〉3 , 〈𝑃〉2 and 〈𝑃〉3 . [4]
(e) Evaluate Δ𝑥Δ𝑝 for the states 𝜓2 (x, t) and 𝜓3 (x, t). [4]

78. Consider a system whose wave function at t = 0 is

3 4 1
𝜓(𝑥, 0) = 𝜙0 (𝑥) + 𝜙1 (𝑥) + 𝜙4 (𝑥)
√30 √30 √6

(a) Find the average energy of this system. [2]

(b) Find the state 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) at a later time t and the average value of the energy. Compare the
result with the value obtained in (a). [2]

79. Consider a system whose wave function at time 𝑡 = 0 is given by

 5 4 1
𝜓(𝑥, 0) = 𝜙0 (𝑥) + 𝜙1 (𝑥) + 𝜙2 (𝑥)
√50 √50 √50
Find the average energy of this system. [2]

80. Consider an electron which is confined to move in an infinite square well of width a = 10−10 𝑚.
(a) Find the exact energies of the 11 lowest states (express them in 𝑒𝑉). [3]
(b) Solve the Schrödinger equation numerically and find the energies of the 11 lowest states
and compare them with the exact results obtained in (a). Plot the wave functions of the five
lowest states. [5]
81. A particle is initially in its ground state in an infinite one-dimensional potential box with sides at x = 0
and 𝑥 = 𝑎. If the wall of the box at x = a is suddenly moved to x = 3a, calculate the probability of finding
the particle in
(a) the ground state of the new box and [2]
(b) the first excited state of the new box. [2]
(c) Now, calculate the probability of finding the particle in the first excited state of the new
box, assuming the particle was initially in the first excited state of the old box. [3]

Section4: Particle in Finite potential and tunnel effect

Note: You are required to solve at least four questions from the following:

82. An electron with a kinetic energy of 10 𝑒𝑉 at large negative values of x is moving from left to right along
the x-axis. The potential energy is

0, (𝑥 ≤ 0)
𝑉(𝑥) = {
20 𝑒𝑉, (𝑥 > 0)

(a) Write the time-independent Schrödinger equation in the regions 𝑥 ≤ 0 and 𝑥 > 0 [2]
(b) Describe the shapes for 𝜓(𝑥) for 𝑥 ≤ 0 and 𝑥 > 0 [2]
(c) Calculate the electron wavelength (in meters) in −20 𝑚 < 𝑥 < −10 𝑚
and 𝑥 > 10 𝑚 . [2]
(d) Write down the boundary conditions at 𝑥 = 0. [1]
(e) Calculate the ratio of the probabilities for finding the electron near 𝑥 = 10−10 𝑚 and
𝑥 = 0. [2]

83. A particle is moving in the potential well

0 − 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ −𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎
𝑉(𝑥) = { 𝑉0 −𝑏 ≤𝑥 ≤ 𝑏
∞ 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒

where 𝑉0 is positive. In this problem consider 𝐸 < 𝑉0 . Let 𝜓1 (𝑥) and 𝜓2 (𝑥) represent the two
lowest energy solutions of the Schrödinger equation; call their energies 𝐸1 and 𝐸2 , respectively.

(a) Calculate 𝐸1 and 𝐸2 in units of 𝑒𝑉 for the case where 𝑚𝑐 2 = 1 𝐺𝑒𝑉, a = 1014 m, and
𝑏 = 0.4 × 1014 m; take ℏ𝑐 ≃ 200 𝑀𝑒𝑉𝑓𝑚. [3]
(b) A particular solution of the Schrödinger equation can be constructed by superposing
𝑖𝐸1 𝑡 𝑖𝐸2 𝑡
𝜓1 (𝑥)𝑒 ℏ and 𝜓2 (𝑥)𝑒 ℏ . Construct a wave packet 𝜓 which at 𝑡 = 0 is (almost) entirely
to the left-hand side of the well and describe its motion in time; find the period of oscillations
 between the two terms of 𝜓. [4]

84. A particle moves in the potential

ℏ2 4 2
𝑉(𝑥) = [ sinh2 𝑥 − cosh 𝑥]
2𝑚 225 5

(a) Sketch 𝑉(𝑥) and locate the position of the two minima. [4]
2
(b) Show that 𝜓(𝑥) = (1 + 4 cosh 𝑥)𝑒𝑥𝑝 (− cosh 𝑥) is a solution of the time independent Schrödinger
15
equation for the particle. Find the corresponding energy level and indicate its position on the sketch of
𝑉(𝑥). [4]
(c) Sketch 𝜓(𝑥) and show that it has the proper behavior at the classical turning points and in the classically
forbidden regions. [4]

85. Show that for a particle of mass m which moves in a one-dimensional infinite potential well of length a,
𝑛𝜋ℏ
the uncertainties product Δ𝑥𝑛 Δ𝑝𝑛 is given by Δ𝑥𝑛 Δ𝑝𝑛 ≃ . [5]
√12

86. A particle of mass m is moving in an infinite potential well

𝑉0 , 0<𝑥<𝑎
𝑉(𝑥) = {
∞, 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒

Solve the Schrödinger equation and find the energy levels and the corresponding normalized wave
functions.
[4]
87. Consider the potential step

6 𝑒𝑉, 𝑥 ≤0
𝑉(𝑥) = {
0, 𝑥 >0

(a) An electron of energy 8 𝑒𝑉 is moving from left to right in this potential. Calculate the probability that the
electron will (i) continue moving along its initial direction after reaching the step and (ii) get reflected at
the potential step. [4]
(b) Now suppose the electron is moving from right to left with an energy 3 𝑒𝑉. (i) Estimate the order of
magnitude of the distance the electron can penetrate the barrier. (ii) Repeat part (i) for a 70 kg person
initially moving at 4 𝑚𝑠 −1 and running into a wall which can be represented by a potential step of height
equal to four times this person’s energy before reaching the step. [4]

88. Find the energy levels and the wave functions of two non-interacting particles of masses 𝑚1 and 𝑚2 that
are moving in a common infinite square well potential

𝑉0 , 0 ≤ 𝑥𝑖 ≤ 𝑎
𝑉(𝑥𝑖 ) = {
∞, 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒
where 𝑥𝑖 is the position of the 𝑖𝑡ℎ particle (i.e., 𝑥𝑖 denotes 𝑥 = 𝑥1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥2 ). [4]

89. Electrons with energies of 0.4 𝑒𝑉 are incident on a barrier 3 𝑒𝑉 high and 0.1 𝑛𝑚 wide. Find the
approximate probability for these electrons to penetrate the barrier. [2]
90. A beam of electrons is incident on a barrier 6eV high and a 0.2 nm wide. Using the equation, 𝑇 =
𝑒 −2𝑘2 𝐿 where 𝑘2 = (√2𝑚(𝑈 − 𝐸 )/ℏ, to find the energy they should have if 1% of them are to get through
the barrier. [3]

91. A particle of mass 𝑚 , moving in one dimension is subject to the following potential:
𝑉(𝑥) = 0, 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑑,
𝑉(𝑥) = ∞ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
2
Calculate the average value of 𝑥 for the ground states of the particle [3]

92. A tennis ball thrown by hand seem to obey the laws of classical physics. This is so because:
(a) The speed of the ball is much smaller than the speed of light.
(b) The associated wavelength is very small compared with displacements
(c) Quantum mechanics is applicable for atomic and nuclear structure only.
(d) The ball is being acted upon by gravitational forces. [1]

93. A student writes for the wave function of a free particle

𝜑 = −𝑁 exp[𝑖(𝑘𝑥 2 − 𝑤𝑡)] . This is not correct because [1]

(a) It is not normalizable.

(b) It does not satisfy the wave equation
(c) The sign of the first term in the exponent is wrong
(d) It does not satisfy the required boundary condition

94. A particle of mass m is subject to a repulsive delta potential 𝑉(𝑥) = 𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥), where 𝑉0 > 0 (𝑉0 has the
dimensions of Energy × Distance). Find the reflection and transmission coefficients, R and T.
[4]

95. A particle of mass m is scattered by a double-delta potential 𝑉(𝑥) = 𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎), where
𝑉0 > 0

(a) Find the transmission coefficient for the particle at an energy E > 0. [2]
(b) When 𝑉0 is very large (i.e.,𝑉0 → ∞), find the energies corresponding to the resonance
case (i.e., 𝑇 = 1) and compare them with the energies of an infinite square well potential having
a width of 2a. [3]

96. A particle of mass m is subject to an antisymmetric delta potential 𝑉(𝑥) = 𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎) − 𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎),
where 𝑉0 > 0

(a) Show that there is always one and only one bound state, and find the expression that
gives its energy. [3]
(b) Find the transmission coefficient T . [2]

97. A particle of mass m is subject to a delta potential

∞, 𝑥 ≤0
𝑉(𝑥) = {
𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎), 𝑥 > 0

where 𝑉0 > 0

(a) Find the wave functions corresponding to the cases 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑎 and 𝑥 > 𝑎. [3]
(b) Find the transmission coefficient. [2]
98. A particle of mass m, besides being confined to move in an infinite square well potential of size 2a with
walls at 𝑥 = −𝑎 and x = a, is subject to an attractive delta potential

𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥) , −𝑎 <𝑥 <𝑎

𝑉(𝑥) = {
∞, 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒
where 𝑉0 > 0

(a) Find the particle’s wave function corresponding to even solutions when E > 0. [3]
(b) Find the energy levels corresponding to even solutions. [2]

99. A particle of mass m, besides being confined to move in an infinite square well potential of size 2a with
walls at 𝑥 = −𝑎 and x = a, is subject to an attractive delta potential

𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥) , −𝑎 <𝑥 <𝑎

𝑉(𝑥) = {
∞, 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒
where 𝑉0 > 0

(c) Find the particle’s wave function corresponding to even solutions when E > 0. [3]
(d) Find the energy levels corresponding to even solutions. [2]

100. Consider a particle of mass m that is moving under the influence of an attractive delta potential

−𝑉0 𝛿(𝑥), 𝑥 > −𝑎

𝑉(𝑥) = {
∞, 𝑥 < −𝑎
where 𝑉0 > 0
Discuss the existence of bound states in terms of 𝑉0 and a. [3]

Section 5: Extension to atoms

Note: You are required to solve at least two questions from the following:

101. Under what circumstances is an atomic electron probability density distribution spherically symmetric?
Why? [2]

102. Most probable value of r for a 1s electron in a hydrogen atom is the Bohr radius 𝑎𝑜 . Verify this. [2]

103. Most probable value of 𝑟 for 2𝑝 electron in a hydrogen atom is 4𝑎𝑜 , which is the same as the radius of
𝑛 = 2 bohr orbit. Verify this. [2]

104. For the most probable value of 𝑟 for a 3𝑑 electron in a hydrogen atom. (2]

105. How much more likely is the electron in a ground state hydrogen atom to be at the distance 𝑎𝑜 from the
nucleus than at the distance 2𝑎𝑜 ? [2]

106. Average value of 𝑟 for a 1𝑠 electron in hydrogen atom is 1.5𝑎𝑜 . Verify this statement by calculating the
expectation value < 𝑟 > = ∫ 𝑟|Ψ|2 𝑑𝑉 [2]

107. The probability of finding an atomic electron whose radical wave function id R(r) outside a sphere of
radius r0 centred on the nucleus is
∞ 2 2
∫𝑟0 |𝑅(𝑟)| 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
(a) Calculate the probability of finding a 1s electron in a hydrogen atom at a distance greater than 𝑎0 from the
nucleus.
(b) When a 1s electron in a hydrogen atom is 2𝑎0 from the nucleus, all its energy is potential energy.
According to classical physics, the electron therefore cannot ever exceed the distance 2𝑎0 from the
nucleus. Find the probability 𝑟 > 2𝑎0 for a 1𝑠 electron in a hydrogen atom
[5]

108. A 2𝑠 electron in a hydrogen atom is more likely than a 2𝑝 electron to be closer to the nucleus than 𝑟 >
𝑎0 . Verify this by calculating the relevant probabilities. [4]