Classical Waves and Quantum Waves -STUDY GUIDE

FULLY ANSWER EACH PROBLEM have 6 sub-questions (i-vi)

Problem III and IV need to be TYPED and DO NOT EXCEED 2 PAGES FOR EACH .

can use any knowledge from any books, course materials, and web-sites (STATE RESOURCE IF USED)

TEXTBOOK: Halliday and Resnick FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS (author : Jearl Walker

, Publisher John Wiley & Sons, inc)
Problem I.
(i) Using Bohr model for atomic hydrogen, obtain energy levels for the 2s, 3s and 3p states in the
actual number with the unit of [eV]. We consider a transition that electron in the 3p state emits a
photon and make a transition to the 2s state. What is the frequency ν of this photon ?
(ii) Now we do not include electron spin angular momentum, and just estimate an effect of a
magnetic field B on this transition (Normal Zeeman effect) with orbital angular momentum.
How many lines of optical transition do we expect ? What is the interval of the frequency in the
field B = 0.1 Tesla ?
(iii) In this situation, we do not expect transition from 3s to 2s state if the electron is initially in the 3s
state, Explain the reason.

(iv) We now consider an effect of magnetic field B to a free electron spin (not in Hydrogen, but a free
electron). The magnetic field of B = 1.0 Tesla will split the energy level into two (Zeeman)
levels. Obtain the level difference in the unit of [eV] from the value of magnetic dipolar moment
of an electron. What is the frequency ν of the electro-magnetic wave which can cause transition
between the Zeeman levels ?
(v) Electron spin in the magnetic field B = 1.0 Tesla undergoes Larmor precession, Obtain the
precession frequency by using the relationship between the angular momentum and the torque.
(vi) If we put an electric dipole moment in the electric field, shall we expect the similar precession
motion ? Answer yes or no, and attach a brief reasoning.
Problem II.

(i) We consider a one-dimensional potential barrier problem. In order for the particle to tunnel through the potential
barrier of the width L, the difference between the barrier height U and the incident energy E of the particle with mass m
has to be close. Using the transmission probability given in the text book / lecture, obtain the energy difference U-E
which gives the transmission probability of exp(-2).
(ii) We consider an infinite square well potential with the width L. Obtain the energy E_{gr} of the lowest energy
level (ground state) of the particle with mass m, and show that E_{gr} scales linearly with U-E in the problem (i). The
potential structures of (i) and (ii) can be viewed as “shadows” of each other.
Problem II.

(iii) We now consider a 3-dimensional infinite square well potential having the length of the x, y, and z
directions to be all L. V = L**3 is the volume of the cube of this potential. We consider energy level of a
single particle (boson) confined in this cube. Write down energy and degeneracy of the 8 quantum levels
from the lowest energy level identified by the three quantum numbers to be (1,1,1). Make a table of quantum
numbers, energy and degeneracy. (Make a table of 8 quantum levels (8 different energies) from the lowest
energy level) . either single quantum numbers, like ground state (1,1,1) or multiple combinations of them.
CONSIDER SPIN ZERO PARTICLES.

(iv) Now we consider making V to be very large and putting many particles (total N particles) in this
volume V. We now consider the case for the particles to be electrons, and consider the effect of spin, and
Pauli principle. We consider the ideal case where there is no interaction between electrons, so they can be
treated as a gas of free particles. We first consider that the energy of the particle can be given as
(1/2)p**2/m, i.e., the energy of non-relativistic free particle. Obtain the maximum energy E_{max} of an
electron at temperature T = 0 for the volume V and number of particles N. Also, Obtain the ratio
E_{av}/E_{max} of the average kinetic energy E_{av} versus E_{max}. (consider electrons with the effect
of their spins).

(v) We now consider the case when the kinetic energy of electrons is proportional to the momentum p to
the power of 1.5. Obtain the ratio E_{av}/E_{max} of the average kinetic energy E_{av} of this new gas
Problem III.

with respect to the electron having the highest kinetic energy E_{max} at T = 0. (consider electrons with the
effect of their spin).

(vi) In (iv) and (v), how the ratio E_{av}/E_{max} would change if we consider 2-dimensional (2-d)
electron gases, instead of 3-d ? Give two answers for the case (iv) with the kinetic energy proportional to
p**2 and for (v) with the kinetic energy proportional to p**(1.5). (consider electrons with the effect of their
spin).

III. about Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle and Zero-point motion.

(2-page limit for Prob. III; with11 or 12 pitch font single space; no reference needed)

III-(i) Explain Heisenberg’s Uncertainty principle, and describe one phenomenon to which that concept is
applicable.
III-(ii) Derive some physical quantity of the phenomenon you chose for (i) by using Uncertainty Principle.
III-(iii) What is the value you expect in the quantity in (ii) if you just use classical physics ?
III-(iv) Describe one experimental method / setup / procedure to measure the quantity you discussed in the
problem (ii) and (iii).
Problem IV.

III-(v) Zero-point oscillation is a typical phenomenon / concept which you develop only in quantum physics.
Choose one example of zero-point vibration which you did NOT discuss in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv).
III-(iv) Obtain energy of the zero-point vibration you chose in (v) by using Heisenberg’s uncertainty
principle.
IV. We have discussed works and honors of many Nobel Prize winners in this lecture course. (2-page
limit for Prob. IV; with 11 or 12 pitch font single space; no reference needed) IV-(i) Choose an
important quantum phenomenon, which cannot be explained by classical physics. Do not repeat the same
subject(s) and phenomena you discussed in Prob. III. You should choose a different one, and nominate
one theorist Nobel Prize Winner and one experimentalist Nobel Prize Winner who contributed to predict /
propose / realize / discover / explain / demonstrate / provide proof to / this quantum phenomenon. Attach
a brief statement on how these scientists are related to the quantum phenomenon you chose. IV-(ii)
Describe how this phenomenon was shown experimentally. Give a figure or conceptual drawing of
experimental set-up for this. This figure / drawing can be handwritten and attached as the third page of
Prob. IV answer sheet.
IV-(iii) What kind of experimental results should you expect from classical physics for this measurement /
experiment ?
IV-(iv) How can this quantum phenomenon be applied to the benefit of real world and/or society ?
Problem V.

IV-(v) We have a gas of fermions and another gas of bosons, Their densities (number of particle per
volume) are the same. Propose experimental method(s) to distinguish which gas is a fermion gas and which
gas is a boson gas.
IV-(vi). Choose your most favorite Nobel Prize Winner who we introduced / discussed in our class, and
explain why you like that person and/or that person’s contributions.