UG I Year PHI-101 (Physics) Autumn Semester 2023 – 2024 Tutorial Sheet – 7

1 According to classical theory of electromagnetism, a charged particle revolving with a frequency f will emit
a radiation of frequency f. Show that the Bohr hydrogen atom result approaches the classical condition when
quantum number n becomes very large and small quantum jumps (e.g. between adjacent levels) are considered.

2 A 45 kW broadcasting antenna emits radio waves at a frequency of 4 MHz.

3
Consider a particle subjected to a time-independent potential V(r). Assume that the state of the
particle (mass = m) is defined by a wave function of the form ψ(r,t) = φ(r) χ(t). Show that
(i) χ(t) = A exp(-iEt/ħ) where A is a constant, and
(ii) (ii) φ(r) must satisfy the equation :
(-ħ2∇2/2m) φ(r) + V(r) φ(r) = E φ(r).

4 Find the probability for a particle, trapped in a one-dimensional box defined by 0 ≤ x ≤ a , to be found anywhere
between x = a/4 and x = 3a/4 if it is in the lowest energy state.
[ Ans: ½ + 1/π ]
5
Consider a particle of mass m in a one-dimensional box defined by 0 ≤ x ≤ a . Find the expectation values
<x>, <p>, <x2> and <p2> for the nth stationary state.
Considering Δx= √[<x2> - <x>2] and Δp = √[<p2> - <p>2] as r.m.s. deviations around the mean values <x>
and <p> , respectively, verify the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.
[ Ans: a/2, 0, a2 /3 - a2 / 2(nπ)2, (nh /2a)2, ΔxΔp ≤ (ħ/2){n2 π2/3 – 2}1/2 ]
6 Show that the energy eigenstates in Problem No.4 form an orthogonal set.

7 Suppose that the particle in Problem No.4 has an initial wave function ψ(x,0) which is a mixture of two
normalized stationary states: ψ(x,0) = A [ψ1(x) + ψ2(x)].

What is the normalization constant A? If the energy of this particle is measured, what are the possible values
one might get and what is the probability of getting them? What is the expectation value of the energy for this
state?
[ Ans.: A = 1/√2; h2/8ma2; h2/2ma2; Equal probability; 5h2/16ma2]

8 Solve the time-independent Schroedinger equation with appropriate boundary conditions for an infinite square
well centered at the origin:

V(x) = 0 for -a/2<x<a/2, and V(x) = ∞ elsewhere.

Check that the allowed energies are consistent with those derived for an infinite well of width a centered at a/2.
Also check that the wavefunction can be obtained here if one uses the substitution x → x + a/2 in the earlier ones.

9
Consider a particle in a one dimensional potential V(x) given by V(x) = ∞ for x ≤ 0; V ( x ) = 0 for 0 < x
< a/2; V ( x ) = V0 for a/2 0 ≤ x < a; = ∞ for x > a. The energy eigenvalues E1 and E2 of the first two
bound states are such that 0 < E1 < V0 and V0 < E2 < ∞ . Schematically sketch the corresponding
eigenfunctions.
10
Consider nth state of the particle in Problem No. 4. Show that as n → ∞ , the probability of finding the
trapped particle between x and x + Δx is Δx/a.

11 Consider the one-dimensional potential step, V(x) = 0 for x ≤ 0; = Vo for x > 0.

12 Take E = 10 eV and Vo = 13.8 eV in Problem No. 11 and consider an electron incident on the step from the
left. Find the distance in which the probability density of finding the electron decreases by a factor 1/100 as
it penetrates into the classically forbidden region.
[Ans: 0.23 nm ]

13 Consider a rectangular potential barrier of height Vo and width a :

V(x) = Vo for 0 < x < a;

A particle with energy E = Vo is incident from the left. Solve the Schroedinger equation to find the form of
the wavefunction in all the three regions. Also write down the boundary conditions at x = 0 and x = a.
Calculate the probability of transmission through the barrier as a function of its width a.

14 A beam of electrons is incident on a barrier 6 eV high and 0.2 nm wide. Find the energy they should have if
1% of them are to get through the barrier.
[Ans: 0.95 eV ]

15 When a neutron enters a nucleus, it experiences a potential energy, which drops at the nuclear surface very
rapidly from a constant external zero value to a constant internal value of about V = - 50 MeV. This decrease
in the potential energy is what makes it possible for a neutron to be bound in the nucleus. Consider a neutron
incident upon a nucleus with an external kinetic energy K = 5 MeV, which is typical for a neutron coming
from a fission process. Estimate the probability that the neutron will be reflected at the nuclear surface,
thereby failing to enter and have its chance at inducing another nuclear fission.
[ Ans: R = 0.29 ]

16 Consider an electron of momentum p in the Coulomb field of a proton. The total energy E is given by
E = p2/2m – e2/4 πε0 r where r is the distance of the electron from the proton. Assuming the uncertainty Δr =
r and Δp = p, use the Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation to obtain an estimate of the size and energy of hygrogen
atom in the ground state.
[Ans.: 4 πε0h2/16 π2 m e2; ─8 π2 me4/(4 π ε0)2 h3