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Quantum 2

The document discusses quantum mechanics and wave functions. It covers topics like Born's interpretation, normalization of wave functions, Schrodinger's time-dependent and time-independent wave equations, and the principle of superposition. Equations and examples are provided to explain these concepts.

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dishant sarangal
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45 views20 pages

Quantum 2

The document discusses quantum mechanics and wave functions. It covers topics like Born's interpretation, normalization of wave functions, Schrodinger's time-dependent and time-independent wave equations, and the principle of superposition. Equations and examples are provided to explain these concepts.

Uploaded by

dishant sarangal
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
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Section II

Quantum Mechanics

Lecture 2.2

Books: A. Beiser, “Concepts of Modem Physics”,


McGraw Hill

Kenneth S. Krane, “Modern Physics”, Wiely


Wave function and Born’s interpretation

• The quantity whose variation makes matter wave is known as


wave function (denoted by ψ(x,t)).

• In quantum mechanics wave functions are used to define the state


of system.

• In general, the wave functions ψ(x,t) can be complex.

So, wave function, ψ(x,t), has no physical significance.

However, the square of the absolute of wave function, |ψ(x,t)|2 is


always positive and it describe the probability of finding the
particle and has physical significance.
The wave functions are usually complex with both real and complex
Parts. The probability is however is always a positive quantity.

The probability density |Ψ|2 is defined as the product Ψ*Ψ of Ψ and its
complex conjugate Ψ*.

Wave function:

Its complex conjugate is:

Probability density is:


The fact that the square of wave function gives us the
probability of finding the particle in some region of
space is known as Born’s interpretation of probability
density.
Example: Wave function of infinite one-dimensional
potential well of width L
for nth state :
Normalisation of wave function

A wave function is said to be normalized if it satisfy


the following condition

Since the square of wave function give the probability of


finding the particle it means according to above equation
particle is definitely there.
If is not normalized, then normalize it by multiplying with
suitable constant known as normalization constant, say A.

e.g.,

Or will be
normalized

Exercise: Find value of A


 Well behaved or acceptable wave function

(1) Single valued and continuous

Since from the wave function we find the probability


of finding the particle at particular point of space and time
which should have unique value and therefore a well behaved
wave function must be single valued and continuous

(a) Not single valued (b) discontinuous


  
(2) x
,
y
,
z
must also have continuous and

single value.

Because above derivatives will be related to physical


observables such as momentum or kinetic energy

(3) The wave function must be normalized . It must vanish


as x, y or z goes to
Exercise: Which of following are acceptable wave
functions?
• For a system with normalized wave function , the
probability that a particle will be found between x1
and x2 is given by
Schrodinger Wave Equation:

A linear differential equations for wave functions

Two types:

Schrodinger Time Dependent Wave Equation

Schrodinger Time Independent Wave Equation


Schrodinger Time Dependent Wave Equation:
To get the Schrodinger’s time dependent wave equation we
consider the wave function Ψ which describe the particle of
following form

---------(1)
Note that we considered the complex wave function. Above
equations says that the motion is in x-direction and v is the velocity
of the particle.

Using ω = 2πν and υ = νλ, above Eq. becomes,

-------------(2)
Now using the following relations

---------(3)
Eq. (2) becomes

---------(4)

where E is the energy of the particle and p is the momentum of the


particle. Eq. (4) describe a free particle which is not restricted
by any external force.

But in actual problem we deals with the particle motion which are
restricted by some kind of force.

For example the motion of electron around the nucleus. The electron
is bound to the atom by the E.F. of the nucleus.
To deal with such cases we need to find a differential Eq. for the
wave function Ψ whose solution will give us Ψ according to
desired situation.

To get the form of this Eq. we differentiate Eq. (4) w.r.t x twice .
So we have

-----------(5)

Differentiate Eq.(4) w.r.t. t , we get

-------------(6)
At speed small compared to the speed of the light, the total energy
of the particle is the sum of K.E. and potential energy
We have

-------------(7)
Note the P.E. is function of x and t.

Multiplying Eq. (7) by Ψ, we get

_ ------------(8)
Using (5) and (6) in (8) we get,

-----------(9)
Eq. (9) is known as Schrodinger time dependent wave equation
in one dimension.
In three dimension above Eq. is written as

Any external restriction or force will effect the function U,


so once U is known, one can solve the Schrödinger wave
Eq. to get the wave function which can further be used to
find the probability density.
 Linearity and superposition principle

• Note that in Schrodinger equation no term is


without and higher power of

We say it is linear in

• If and are the solutions, then

+ is also solution

• Superposition principle is obeyed (property of wave


nature)
Experimentally one observe the situation shown in fig
(e), diffraction pattern due to superposition of electron
waves.

Wave functions add, not probabilities.


Probability

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