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Assignment-03|One-dimensional potentials|Quanta Institute .

1. In the first excited state of a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator with angular frequency 𝜔, the
energy eigenvalue is given by [GATE 1997]
1 3
(a) 2 ℏ𝜔 (b) ℏ𝜔 (c) 2 ℏ𝜔 (d) 2ℏ𝜔

2. A particle of energy E is incident on a rectangular potential barrier of height V0 and width b.

(a) The reflection coefficient for E < V0 tends to unity as b tends to infinity. [GATE 1999]
(b) The reflection coefficient is zero for some specific values of E > V0.
(c) The transmission coefficient is always zero for E < V0.
(d) The transmission coefficient is zero for some specific value of E > V0.

3. At t = 0, a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator of frequency 𝜔 is in a state given by

1
Ψ(𝑥, 0) = 𝜇 (𝑥)
2 0
+ 𝑖√3/2𝑢1(x) [GATE 1998]
where 𝜇0 and 𝜇1 are the first two normalized eigenfunctions.
3
(a) The probability of finding the oscillator in state 𝜇1 is 4,
1
(b) The probability of finding the oscillator in the state 𝜇0 is 2.
(c) The average energy of the oscillator is 2ℏ𝜔.
(d) The average energy of the oscillator is (5ℏ𝜔).

4. Let a particle move in a potential field given by [GATE 2000]

1
𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 > 0
𝑉(𝑥) = {2
∞ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≤ 0
The allowed energies of this particle are
(a) (n + 1/2)ℏ𝜔 (b) (2n + 3/2)ℏ𝜔 (c) (2n + 1/2)ℏ𝜔 (d) (n + 5/2)ℏ𝜔

5. If the wave function of a particle trapped in space between x = 0 and x = 1 is given by

2𝜋𝑥
Ψ(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 𝐿
), where A is a constant, for which value(s) of x will the probability of finding
the particle be the maximum? [GATE 2002]
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 3𝐿
(a) 4
(b) 2
(c) and
6 3
(d) and
4 4

6. A free particle with energy E whose wave-function is a plane wave with wavelength 𝜆 enters a
region of constant potential V > 0 where the wavelength of the particle is 2𝜆. The ratio (V/E) is:
[GATE 2003]
(a) 1/2 (b) 2/3 (c) 3/4 (d) 4/5

7. Which of the following is a valid normalized wave function for a particle in a one-dimensional
infinite potential well of width L centered at x = 0? [GATE 2003]
(a) (2/L)[cos(2𝜋𝑥/𝐿) + 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝜋𝑥/𝐿)] (b) (2/𝐿)1/2 𝑠𝑖𝑛[𝑛𝜋𝑥/𝐿] for odd n
(c) (2/𝐿)1/2 𝑐𝑜𝑠[𝑛𝜋𝑥/𝐿] for odd n (d) (2/L) cos(𝜋𝑥/𝐿)

Common data for Q.8 and Q.9

A particle is confined to the region 0 < x < L in one dimension.

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8. If the particle is in the first excited state, then the probability of finding the particle is
maximum at [GATE 2004]
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 3𝐿
(a) x = 6 (b) x = 2 (c) x = 3 (d) x = 4 and 4

9. If the particle is in the lowest energy state, then the probability of finding the particle in the
𝐿
region 0 to 4 is: [GATE 2004]
1 1 1 1 1 1
(a) 4 − (b) 4 (c) 4 + (2𝜋) (d) 2
(2𝜋)

10. A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator carrying a charge -q is placed in a uniform electric

field 𝐸⃗ along positive axis. The corresponding Hamiltonian operator is [GATE 2005]
ℎ2 𝑑2 1 ℎ2 𝑑2 1
(a) 2
+ 𝑘𝑥 2 + 𝑞𝐸𝑥 (b) - + 𝑘𝑥 2 – 𝑞𝐸𝑥
2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 2
ℎ2 𝑑2 1 ℎ2 𝑑2 1
(c) - 2𝑚 + 2 𝑘𝑥 2 + 𝑞𝐸𝑥 (d) + 2 𝑘𝑥 2 − 𝑞𝐸𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2

11. A particle is incident with a constant energy E on a one-dimensional potential barrier as

shown in the figure. [GATE 2005]
The wavefunctions in regions I and II are respectively
(a) decaying, oscillatory
(b) oscillatory, oscillatory
(c) oscillatory, decaying
(d) decaying, decaying

12. A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator is in the state [GATE 2006]

1
Ψ(𝑥) = [3Ψ0 (𝑥) − 2Ψ1 (𝑥) + Ψ2 (𝑥)]
√14
Where Ψ0 (𝑥), Ψ1 (𝑥) and Ψ2 (𝑥) are the ground, first excited and send excited states,
respectively. The probability of find the oscillator in the ground state is:
3 9
(a) 0 (b) (c) 14 (d) 1
√14

13. A free particle is moving in +x direction with a linear momentum p. The wavefunction of
the particle normalized in a length L is: [GATE 2006]
𝑝 𝑝
1 𝑃 1 𝑃 1 1
(a) sin ℎx (b) cos ℎx (c) 𝑒 −𝑖ℎ𝑥 (d) 𝑒 𝑖 ℎ𝑥
√𝐿 √𝐿 √𝐿 √𝐿

Common data for Q.14, Q.15 and Q.16

A particle of mass m is confined in the ground state of a one-dimensional box, extending
from x = -2L to x = +2L. The wave function of the particle in this state is
𝜋𝑥
Ψ(𝑥) = Ψ0 𝑐𝑜𝑠 4𝐿 . Where Ψ0 is a constant [GATE 2007]

14. The normalization factor Ψ0 of this wavelength is:

2 1 1 1
(a) √𝐿 (b) √4𝐿 (c) √2𝐿 (d) √𝐿

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15. The energy eigenvalue corresponding to this state is:

ℏ2 𝜋 2 ℏ2 𝜋 2 ℏ2 𝜋 2 ℏ2 𝜋 2
(a) 2𝑚𝐿2 (b) 4𝑚𝐿2 (c) 16𝑚𝐿2 (d) 32𝑚𝐿2

16. The expectation value of p2(p is the momentum operator) in this state is:
ℏ2 𝜋 2 ℏ2 𝜋 2 ℏ2 𝜋 2
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d)
32𝐿2 16𝐿2 8𝐿2

17. There are only three bound states for a particle of mass m in a one-dimensional potential
well of the form shown in the figure. The depth V0 of the potential satisfies [GATE 2007]

2𝜋 2 ℏ2 9𝜋 2 ℏ2 𝜋 2 ℏ2 2𝜋 2 ℏ2
(a) < 𝑉0 < (b) < 𝑉0 <
𝑚𝑎2 2𝑚𝑎2 𝑚𝑎2 𝑚𝑎2
2𝜋 2 ℏ2 8𝜋 2 ℏ2 2𝜋 2 ℏ2 50𝜋 2 ℏ2
(c) < 𝑉0 < (d) < 𝑉0 <
𝑚𝑎2 𝑚𝑎2 𝑚𝑎2 𝑚𝑎2

18. A particle with energy E is in a time-independent double well potential as shown in the
figure. Which of the following statements about the particle is NOT correct? [GATE 2007]
(a) The particle will always be in a bound state.
(b) The probability of finding the particle in one well will
be time-dependent.
(c) The particle will be confined to any one of the wells.
(d) The particle can tunnel from one well to the other, and back.

19. The energy levels of a particle of mass m in a potential of the form

V(x) = ∞, x≤0
1 2 2
= 2 𝑚𝜔 𝑥 , x>0
are given, in terms of quantum number n = 0, 1, 2, 3…….., by [GATE 2007]
1 1
(a) (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔 (b) (2𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
3 3
(c) (2𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔 (d) (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔

Common data for Q.20, Q.21 and Q.22

A beam of identical particles of mass m and energy E is [GATE 2008]
incident from left on a potential barrier of width
L (between 0 < x < L) and height V0 as shown in the
figure (E < V0)

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For x>L, there is tunneling with a transmission coefficient T > 0. Let A0, AR and AT
denote the amplitudes for the incident, reflected and the transmitted waves, respectively.
20. Throughout 0 < x < L, the wave-function
(a) Can be chosen to be real (b) Is exponentially decaying
(c) Is generally complex (d) Is zero
21. Let the probability current associated with the incident wave be S0. Let R be the reflection
coefficient. Then
(a) The probability current vanishes in the classically forbidden region.
(b) The probability current is TS0 for x > L.
(c) For, x < 0, the probability current is S0(I + R).
(d) For x > L the probability current is complex.
𝐴
22. The ratio of the reflected to the incident amplitude 𝐴𝑅 is:
0
𝐴𝑅
(a) 1 - 𝐴 (b) √1 − 𝑇 in magnitude
0

𝐴 2 𝐸
(c) A real negative number (d) √(1 − |𝐴𝑇 | ) 𝑉
0 0 −𝐸

23. A particle is placed in a one-dimensional box of size L along the x-axis (0<x<L). Which
of the following is true? [GATE 2008]
𝐿 3𝐿
(a) In the ground state, the probability of finding the particle in the interval (4 , 4 ) is half.
𝐿 3𝐿
(b) In the first excited state, the probability of finding the particle in the interval (4 , 4 ) is
half. This also holds for states with n = 4, 6, 8, ………
(c) For an arbitory state |Ψ⟩, the probability of finding the particle in the left half of the
well is half.
(d) In the ground state, the particle has a definite momentum.
24. A particle of mass m is confined in the potential, [GATE 2010]
1
𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 > 0,
V(x) = {2
∞ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≤ 0
Let the wavefunction of the particle be given by
1 2
Ψ(𝑥) = − Ψ0 + Ψ1 ,
√5 √5
where Ψ0 and Ψ1 are the eigenfunctions of the ground state and the first excited state
respectively. The expectation value of the energy is:
31 25 13 11
(a) 10 ℏ𝜔 (b) 10 ℏ𝜔 (c) 10 ℏ𝜔 (d) 10 ℏ𝜔

Common data for Q.25 and Q.26

In a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, 𝜑0 , 𝜑1 and 𝜑2 are respectively the ground, first
and the second excited states. These three states are normalized and are orthogonal to one
another. Ψ1 and Ψ2 are two states defined by Ψ1 = 𝜑0 - 2𝜑1 + 3𝜑2 ; Ψ2 = 𝜑0 - 𝜑1 + 𝛼𝜑2 .
Where 𝛼 is a constant. [GATE 2011]

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25. The value of 𝛼 for which Ψ2 is orthogonal to Ψ1 is:

(a) 2 (b) 1 (c) -1 (d) -2

26. For the value of 𝛼 determined in Q.37, the expectation value of energy of oscillator in
the state Ψ2 is:
(a) ℏ𝜔 (b) 3ℏ𝜔/2 (c) 3ℏ𝜔 (d) 9 ℏ𝜔/2

27. An electron with energy E is incident from left on a potential barrier, given by
V(x) = 0 for x < 0
= V0 for x > 0
As shown in the figure [GATE 2011]
V(x)

For E < V0, the space part of the wavefunction for x > 0 is of the form
(a) 𝑒 𝛼𝑥 (b) 𝑒 −𝛼𝑥 (c) 𝑒 𝑖𝛼𝑥 (d) 𝑒 −𝑖𝛼𝑥
where 𝛼 is a real positive quantity.

28. A particle is constrained to move in a truncated harmonic potential well (x > 0) as

shown in the figure. Which one of the following statements is CORRECT?
[GATE 2012]
(a) The parity of the first excited state is even
(b) The parity of the ground state is even
1
(c) The ground state energy is 2 ℏ𝜔
7
(d) The first excited state energy is 2 ℏ𝜔

29. A one dimensional harmonic oscillator is in the superposition of number state, |𝑛⟩, given
by
1 √3
|Ψ⟩ = |2⟩ + |3⟩
2 2
The average energy of the oscillator in the given state is ________ ℏ𝜔. [GATE 2014]
30. Suppose a linear harmonic oscillator of frequency 𝜔 and mass m is in the state
1 √3
|Ψ⟩ = [|2⟩ + |3⟩] [GATE 2015]
√2 2
The average energy of the oscillator in the given state is ____________ ℏ𝜔.

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31. A particle of mass m and energy E, moving in the positive x direction, is incident on a
step potential at x = 0, as indicated in the figure. The height of the potential is Vo, where
1
V0>E. At x = x0, where x0>0, the probability of the finding the electron is 𝑒 times the
2𝑚 (𝑉0 − 𝐸)
probability of finding it at x = 0. If 𝛼 = √ the value of 𝑥0 is [GATE 2016]
ℏ2

2 1 1 1
(a) 𝛼 (b) 𝛼 (c) 2𝛼 (d) 4𝛼

32. A free electron of energy 1 eV is incident upon a one-dimensional finite potential step of
height 0.75 eV. The probability of its reflection from the barriers is ________ (up to two
decimal places). [GATE 2017]

33.Consider a particle in a one dimensional potential that satisfies 𝑉(𝑥) = 𝑉(−𝑥) . Let |𝜓0 〉 and |𝜓1 〉
denote the ground and the first excited states, respectively, and let |𝜓〉 = 𝛼0 |𝜓0 〉 + 𝛼𝐼 |𝜓𝐼 〉 be a
normalized state with 𝛼0 and 𝛼1 being real constants. The expectation value 〈𝑥〉 of the position
operator x in the state |𝜓〉 is given by [CSIR Dec 2011]

(a) 𝛼20 〈𝜓0 |𝑥|𝜓0 〉 + 𝛼21 〈𝜓1 |𝑥|𝜓1 〉 (b) 𝛼0 𝛼1 [〈𝜓0 |𝑥|𝜓1 〉 + 〈𝜓1 |𝑥|𝜓0 〉]

(c) 𝛼20 + 𝛼21 (d) 2𝛼0 𝛼1

34. let |0⟩ and |1⟩ denote the normalized eigenstates corresponding to the ground and first excited
1
state of a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator. The uncertainty Δ𝑝 in the state (|0⟩ + |1⟩), is:
√2
(a) Δ𝑝 = √ℏ𝑚𝜔/2 (b) Δ𝑝 = √ℏ𝑚𝜔/2 [CSIR Dec. 2011]
(c) Δ𝑝 = √ℏ𝑚𝜔 (d) Δ𝑝 = √2ℏ𝑚𝜔

35. A particle in one-dimension is in the potential [CSIR June 2012]

∞ 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0
V(x) = {−𝑉0 𝑖𝑓 0≤𝑥≤𝑙
0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 𝑙
If there is at least one bound state, the minimum depth of the potential is:
ℏ2 𝜋2 ℏ2 𝜋2 2ℏ2 𝜋2 ℏ2 𝜋2
(a) 8𝑚𝑙2 (b) 2𝑚𝑙2 (c) 𝑚𝑙 2
(d) 𝑚𝑙 2

36. Let |0⟩ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 |1⟩ denote the normalized eigenstates corresponding to the ground and the first
excited states of a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator. The uncertainty Δ𝑥 in the state
1
(|0⟩ + |1⟩ is: [CSIR Dec. 2012]
√2
(a) Δ𝑥 = √ℏ/2𝑚𝜔 (b) Δ𝑥 = √ℏ/𝑚𝜔 (c) Δ𝑥 = √2ℏ/𝑚𝜔 (d) Δ𝑥 = √ℏ/4𝑚𝜔
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37. Consider the normalized state |Ψ⟩ of a particle in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator:
|Ψ⟩ = 𝑏1 |0⟩ + 𝑏2 |1⟩ where |0⟩ and |1⟩ denote the ground and first excited states respectively, and
b1 and b2 are real constants. The expectation value of the displacement x in the state |Ψ⟩ will be a
minimum when [CSIR June 2013]
1
(a) 𝑏2 = 0, (𝑏1 = 1) (b) 𝑏2 = 𝑏
√2 1
1
(c) 𝑏2 = 𝑏 (d) 𝑏2 = −𝑏1
2 1

38. A particle is in the ground state of an infinite square well potential given by,
0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 − 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎
V(x) = { [CSIR Dec. 2013]
∞ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
𝑎 𝑎
The probability to find the particle in the interval between - 𝑎𝑛𝑑 is
2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1
(a) 2 (b) 2 + 𝜋 (c) 2 - 𝜋 (d) 𝜋

39. A particle in the infinite square well

0 0<𝑥<𝑎
V(x) = { [CSIR June 2014]
∞ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒

Is prepared in a state with the wavefunction

3 𝜋𝑥
Ψ(x) = { 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 𝑎 ) 0<𝑥<𝑎
0 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
The expectation value of the energy of the particle is
5ℏ2 𝜋 2 9ℏ2 𝜋 2 9ℏ2 𝜋 2 ℏ2 𝜋 2
(a) (b) (c) 10𝑚𝑎2 (d) 2𝑚𝑎2
2𝑚𝑎2 2𝑚𝑎2

40. Let |Ψ⟩ = 𝑐0 |0⟩ + 𝑐1 |1⟩ (where c0 and c1 are constants with 𝑐02 + 𝑐12 = 1) be a linear
combination of the wavefunctions of the ground and first excited states of the one-dimensional
harmonic oscillator. For what value of c0 is the expectation value 〈𝑥〉 a maximum?
[CSIR June 2014]
ℏ 1 ℏ 1
(a) 〈𝑥〉 = √𝑚𝜔 , 𝑐0 = (b) 〈𝑥〉 = √ , 𝑐0 =
√2 2𝑚𝜔 2
ℏ 1 ℏ 1
(c) 〈𝑥〉 = √2𝑚𝜔 , 𝑐0 = (d) 〈𝑥〉 = √𝑚𝜔 , 𝑐0 =
√2 2

𝑥
41. The ground state energy of a particle of mass m in the potential V(x) = 𝑉0 cosh (𝐿 ), where L and
ℏ2
𝑉0 are constants (with 𝑉0 >> ) is approximately [CSIR Dec. 2015]
2𝑚𝐿2
ℏ 2𝑉0 ℏ 𝑉0
(a) 𝑉0 + √ (b) 𝑉0 + √
𝐿 𝑚 𝐿 𝑚
ℏ 𝑉 ℏ 𝑉
(c) 𝑉0 + √0 (d) 𝑉0 + √0
4𝐿 𝑚 2𝐿 𝑚

42. The state of a particle of mass m in a one-dimensional rigid box in the interval 0 to L is given by
the normalized wavefunction [CSIR June 2016]

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2 3 2𝜋𝑥 4 4𝜋𝑥
Ψ(𝑥) = √𝐿 (5 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 𝐿
) + 5
𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 𝐿 ))
this energy is measured, the possible outcomes and the average value of energy are, respectively.
ℎ2 2ℎ 2 73 ℎ 2 ℎ2 2ℎ 2 19 ℎ 2
(a) 2𝑚𝐿2, 𝑚𝐿2 and 50 𝑚𝐿2 (b) 8𝑚𝐿2, 2𝑚𝐿2 and 40 𝑚𝐿2
ℎ2 2ℎ 2 19 ℎ 2 ℎ2 2ℎ 2 73 ℎ 2
(c) 2𝑚𝐿2, 𝑚𝐿2 and 10 𝑚𝐿2 (d) 8𝑚𝐿2, 𝑚𝐿2 and 200 𝑚𝐿2

43. A particle of mass m moves in one-dimension under the influence of the potential
V (x) = −𝛼𝛿(𝑥), where 𝛼 is a positive constant. The uncertainty in the product (Δ𝑥)(Δ𝑝) in its
ground state is [CSIR June 2016]
ℏ
(a) 2ℏ (b) 2
ℏ
(c) (d) √2ℏ
√2

1 1
44. Let a = (x + ip) and 𝑎† = − (𝑥 − 𝑖𝑝) be the lowering and raising operators of a simple
√2 √2
harmonic oscillator in units where the mass, angular frequency and ℏ have been set to unity. If |0⟩
is the ground state of the oscillator and 𝜆 is a complex constant, the expectation value of 〈Ψ|𝑥|Ψ〉
in the state |Ψ⟩ = exp(𝜆𝑎† − 𝜆∗ 𝑎)|0⟩, is [CSIR Dec. 2016]
1
(a) |𝜆| (b) √|𝜆|2 + |𝜆|2
1 1
(c) (𝜆 − 𝜆∗ ) (d) (𝜆 + 𝜆∗ )
√2𝑖 √2

45. A particle in one-dimension is in a potential V(x) = A𝛿(x-a). Its wavefunction Ψ(𝑥) is continuous
everywhere. The discontinuity in dΨ/dx at x = a is [CSIR Dec. 2016]
2𝑚
(a) ℏ2
𝐴Ψ(𝑎) (b) 𝐴(Ψ(𝑎) − Ψ(−𝑎))
ℏ2
(c) 2𝑚𝐴 (d) 0

46. If the root-mean-squared momentum of a particle in the ground state of a one-dimensional simple
harmonic potential is 𝑝0 , then its root-mean-squared momentum in the first excited state is
(a) 𝑝0 √2 (b) 𝑝0 √3 [CSIR June 2017]
(c) 𝑝0 √2/3 (d) 𝑝0 √3/2

47. Consider a potential barrier A of height 𝑉0 and width b, and another potential barrier B of
height 2V0 and the same width b. The ratio TA/TB of tunnelling probabilities TA and TB,
through barriers A and B respectively, for a particle of energy V0/100, is best
approximated by [CSIR June 2017]
8𝑚𝑉0 𝑏 2 8𝑚𝑉0 𝑏 2
(a) exp[(√1.99 − √0.99)√ ] (b) exp[(√1.98 − √0.98)√ ]
ℏ2 ℏ2

8𝑚𝑉0 𝑏 2 8𝑚𝑉0 𝑏 2
(c) exp[(√2.99 − √0.99)√ ] (d) exp[(√2.98 − √0.98)√ ]
ℏ2 ℏ2

48. A quantum mechanical particle in a harmonic oscillator potential has the initial wavefunction
Ψ0 (𝑥) + Ψ1 (𝑥), where Ψ0 and Ψ1 are the real wavefunctions in the ground and first excited
states of the harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian. For convenience we take m = ℏ = 𝜔 = 1 for the
oscillator. What is the probability density of finding the particle at x at time t = 𝜋? [JEST 2013]

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(a) (Ψ1 (𝑥) − Ψ0 (𝑥))2 (b) (Ψ1 (𝑥))2 − (Ψ0 (𝑥))2

(c) (Ψ1 (𝑥) + Ψ0 (𝑥))2 (d) (Ψ1 (𝑥))2 + (Ψ0 (𝑥))2

49. A particle of mass m is contained in a one-dimensional infinite well extending from x = -L/2 to x =
L/2. The particle is in its ground state given by Ψ0 (x) = √2/𝐿 cos(𝜋𝑥/𝐿). The walls of the box are
moved suddenly to form a box extending from x = -L to x = L. What is the probability that the
particle will be in the ground state after this sudden expansion? [JEST 2013]
(a) (8/3𝜋 2 ) (b) 0 (c) (16/3𝜋 2 ) (d) (4/3𝜋 2 )

50. The lowest quantum mechanical energy of a particle confined in a one-dimensional box of
size L is 2 eV. The energy of the quantum mechanical ground state for a system of three
non-interacting spin- 1, 2 particles is [JEST 2014]
(a) 6 eV (b) 10 eV (c) 12 eV (d) 16 eV

51. Consider a square well of depth-V0 and width a with V0a fixed. Let V0 → ∞ and a → 0.
This potential well has [JEST 2014]
(a) No bound states (b) 1 bound state
(c) 2 bound states (d) Infinitely many bound states

−|𝛼|2 †
52. Consider a harmonic oscillator in the state |Ψ⟩ = 𝑒 2 𝑒 𝛼𝛼 |0⟩, where |0⟩ is the ground
state, 𝛼 † is the raising operator and 𝛼 is a complex number. What is the probability that
the harmonic oscillator is in the n-th eigenstate |n⟩? [JEST 2015]
𝛼2 𝛼2
2 |𝛼|2𝑛 1 |𝛼|𝑛 2 |𝛼|𝑛 |𝛼|𝑛
(a) 𝑒 −|𝛼| (b) 𝑒 − 2 (c) 𝑒 −|𝛼| (d) 𝑒 − 2
𝑛! 𝑛! 𝑛! 𝑛!

53. A particle of mass m moves in 1-dimensional potential V(x), which vanishes at infinity.
The exact ground state eigenfunction is Ψ(x) = A sech(𝜆𝑥) where A and 𝜆 are constant. The
ground state energy eigenvalue of this system is, [JEST 2015]
ℏ2 𝜆2 ℏ2 𝜆2 ℏ2 𝜆2 ℏ2 𝜆2
(a) E = 𝑚
(b) E = - 𝑚
(c) E = - 2𝑚
(d) E = 2𝑚

54. An electron confined within a thin layer of semiconductor may be treated as a free particle
inside an infinitely deep one-dimensional potential well. If the difference in energies
between the first and the second energy levels is 𝛿E, then the thickness of the layer is:
3ℏ2 𝜋2 2ℏ2 𝜋2
(a) √ 2𝑚𝛿𝐸 (b) √ 3𝑚𝛿𝐸 [JEST 2016]
ℏ2 𝜋2 ℏ2 𝜋2
(c) √2𝑚𝛿𝐸 (d) √ 𝑚𝛿𝐸

55. 𝜙0 (𝑥) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜙1 (𝑥) are respectively the orthogonal wavefunctions of the ground and first excited
states of a one-dimensional simple harmonic oscillator. Consider the normalized wavefunction
Ψ(x) = c0 𝜙0 (x) + c1 𝜙1 (x), where c0 and c1 are real. For what values of c0 and c1 will
〈Ψ(x)|𝑥|Ψ(x)〉 be maximized? [JEST 2017]
(a) c0 = c1 = +1/√2 (b) c0 = -c1 = +1/√2
(c) c0 = +√3/2, c1 = +1/√2 (d) c0 = +√3/2, c1 = -1/√2

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56. If 𝑥̂(t) be the position operator at a time t in the Heisenberg picture for a particle described by
𝑝̂2 1 ℏ
̂=
the Hamiltonian, 𝐻 + 𝑚𝜔2 𝑥̂ 2 , what is 𝑒 𝑖𝜔𝑡 〈0|𝑥̂(𝑡)𝑥̂(0)|0〉 in unit of , where |0⟩ is the
2𝑚 2 2𝑚𝜔
ground state? [JEST 2017]

57. A particle P1 is confined in a one-dimensional infinite potential well with walls at x = ±1. Another
Particle P2 is confined in a one-dimensional infinite potential well with walls at x = 0, 1.
Comparing the two particles, one can conclude that [TIFR 2010]
(a) the no. of nodes in the nth excited state of P1 is twice that of P2
(b) the no. of nodes in the nth excited state of P1 is half that of P2
(c) the energy of the nth level of P1 is the same as that of P2
(d) the energy of the nth level of P1 is one quarter of that of P2

58. The wave function Ψ of a quantum mechanical system described by a Hamiltonian 𝐻 ̂ can be
̂ with eigenvalues
written as a linear combination of Φ1 and Φ2 which are the eigenfunctions of 𝐻
4 3
E1 and E2 respectively At t = 0, the system is prepared is the state Ψ0 = 5 Φ1 + 5 Φ2 and then
1
ℎ
2
allowed to evolve with time. The wavefunction at time T = will be (accurate to within a
(𝐸1 − 𝐸2 )
phase). [TIFR 2010]
4 3 4 3
(a) Φ
5 1
+ Φ
5 2
(b) Φ1 (c) 5 Φ1 − 5 Φ2
3 4 3 4
(d) Φ2 (e) 5 Φ1 + Φ
5 2
(f) 5 Φ1 - 5 Φ2

59. A particle of mass m is placed in the ground state of a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator
potential of the form [TIFR 2011]
1
V(x) = 2Kx2
where the stiffness constant k can be varied externally. The ground state wavefunction has the
form Ψ(𝑥) ∝ exp(-ax2√𝑘) where a is a constant. If, suddenly, the parameter k is changed to 4k.
the probability that the particle will remain in the ground state of the new potential is
(a) 0.47 (b) 0.06 (c) 0.53
(d) 0.67 (e) 0.33 (f) 0.94

1 −|𝑥|
60. A particle in a one-dimensional potential has the wavefunction Ψ(𝑥) = 𝑒𝑥𝑝 ( 𝛼 ) where 𝛼
√𝛼
is a constant. It follows that for a positive constant V0, the potential V(x) is [TIFR 2012]
(a) V0x2 (b) V0|𝑥| (c) -V0𝛿(𝑥) (d) -V0/|𝑥|

61. A harmonic oscillator has the wave function,

1
Ψ(𝑥, 𝑡) = 5 [3𝜑0 (𝑥, 𝑡) − 2√2𝜑1 (𝑥, 𝑡) + 2√2𝜑2 (𝑥, 𝑡)] where 𝜑𝑛 (𝑥, 𝑡) is the eigenfunction
1
belonging to the n-th energy eigenvalue (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔. The expectation value 〈𝐸〉 of energy for the
state Ψ(𝑥, 𝑡) is [TIFR 2013]
(a) 1.58 ℏ𝜔 (b) 0.46 ℏ𝜔 (c) ℏ𝜔 (d) 1.46 ℏ𝜔

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62. A particle is confined to a one-dimensional box of length L. If a vanishingly thin but strongly
repulsive partition is introduced in the exact center of the box, and the particle is allowed to
come to its ground state, then the probability density for finding the particle will appear as
[TIFR 2014]

63. A particle is moving in one-dimension under a potential V(x) such that, for large positive values of
x. V(x) ≈ 𝑘𝑥 𝛽 , where k > 0 and 𝛽 ≥ 1. If the wavefunction in this region has the form Ψ (x) ~
exp(-x2), which of the following is true? [TIFR 2015]
β
(a) 𝜆 = 2
+ 1 (b) 𝜆 = β
β2
(c) 𝜆 = 2β – 2 (d) 𝜆 =
2

64. A one-dimensional box contains particle whose ground state energy is 𝜖. It is observed that a
small disturbance causes the particle to emit a photon of energy hv = 8𝜖, after which it is stable.
Just before emission, a possible state of the particle in terms of the energy eigenstates
{Ψ1 , Ψ2 , . . . } would be [TIFR 2015]
Ψ1 − Ψ2 Ψ2 + Ψ3 −4Ψ4 + 5Ψ5 √2Ψ1 − 3Ψ2 + 5Ψ5
(a) (b) (b) (d)
√2 √5 √41 6

65. 1000 neutral spinless particles are confined in a one-dimensional box of length 100 nm. At a
given instant of time, if 100 of these particle have energy 4𝜖0 and the remaining 900 have energy
225𝜖0 , then the number of particles in the left half of the box will be approximately [TIFR 2015]
(a) 625 (b) 500 (c) 441 (d) 100

66. A one-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator is in its ground state [TIFR 2015]
𝑚𝜔 1/4 2
Ψ0 (𝑥) = ( 𝜋ℏ ) 𝑒 −𝑚𝜔𝑥 /2ℏ
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Two experiments, [A] and [B], are performed on the system. In [A] the frequency 𝜔 of the
oscillator is suddenly doubled, while in [B] The frequency 𝜔 is suddenly halved. If pA and pB
denote the probability in each case that the system is found in its new ground state immediately
after the frequency change, which of the following is true?
(a) pA = √2pB (b) pA = 2pB (c) 2pA = pB (d) pA = pB

67. A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator of mass m and natural frequency 𝜔 is in the quantum
1 𝑖 𝑖
State |Ψ⟩ = |0⟩ + |1⟩ + |2⟩ [TIFR 2016]
√3 √3 √3
1
At time t = 0, where |n⟩ denote the eigenstate with eigenvalue (𝑛 + 2
) ℏ𝜔. If following that the
excepting value 〈𝑥(𝑡)〉 of the position operator 𝑥̂ is

68. A particle is confined inside a one-dimensional potential well V(x), as shown on the right. One of
the possible probability distributions |Ψ(𝑥)|2 for an energy eigenstate for this particle is

[TIFR 2016]

69. Two harmonic oscillators A and B are in excited eigenstates with the same excitation energy E, as
measured from their respective ground state energies. The natural frequency of A is twice that of
B. [TIFR 2016]

If the wavefunction of B is as sketched in the above picture, which of the following would best
represent the wavefunction of A?
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70. A particle is confined in a one-dimensional box of unit length, i.e. L = 1, i.e. in a potential
0 𝑖𝑓 0 < 𝑥 < 1
V(x) = { [TIFR 2016]
∞ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
The energy eigenvalues of this particle are denoted E0, E1, E2, E3, ……

In a particular experiment, the wavefunction of this particle, at t= 0, is given by

Ψ(𝑥) = {√2 𝑖𝑓 0 < 𝑥 < 1/2
0 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
If, simultaneously, i.e. at t = 0, a measurement of the energy of the particle is made, find 100p3,
where p3 is the probability that the measurement will yield the energy E3.

71. Consider the 1-D asymmetric double-well yield potential V(x) as sketched below. [TIFR 2016]

The probability distribution p(x) of a particle in the ground state of this potential is best
represented by

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72. A particle of mass m, confined to one-dimension x, is in ground state of a harmonic oscillator

2𝑎 1/4 2
potential with a normalized wave function Ψ0 (𝑥) = ( 𝜋 ) 𝑒 −𝑎𝑥 , where a = m𝜔/2ℏ. Find the
expectation value of x8 in terms of the parameter a. [TIFR 2017]

73. A particle in one dimension is in the ground state (lowest energy quantum state) of the potential
well given by
𝐿
0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 |𝑥| <
V(x) = { 2
∞ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
Let P be the probability that the particle is found to move along the positive x-direction and p be
the magnitude of the momentum for that state of motion. Then
1 𝜋
(a) P = 0 and p = 0 (b) P = 2 and p = 2𝐿
1 𝜋 𝜋
(c) P = 2 and p = 𝐿 (d) P = 1 and p = 𝐿

74. For the ground state of a particle moving freely in a one-dimensional box 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿 with rigid
reflecting end-points, the uncertainty product (∆𝑥)(∆p) is:
(a) h/2 (b) √2 h (c) 0.09 h (d) h/√3

75. The ground state energy of a particle in an infinite square-well potential of width L is E. If the
width of the wall is reduced to L/2, then the ground state energy becomes
(a) 2E (b) E/2 (c) 4E (d) E/4

76. Consider the operators a and a+, satisfying the commutation relation [a, 𝑎† ] = I. the unit
operator.
There are no normalisable eigenstates of the operator
(a) 𝑎† a (b) a (c) 𝑎† (d) (𝑎† a)2
77. The first excited state of a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator has eigenfunction 𝜙(x) =
2 2
Nx𝑒 −𝑎 𝑥 /2 where N is:
3 3 2
(a) √2𝑎 ⁄ (b) 2𝑎 ⁄ (c) √𝑎 ⁄𝜋 (d) 𝑎⁄𝜋
√𝜋 √𝜋
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78. The expectation value of the momentum in the ground state of one-dimensional harmonic
oscillator of mass m and frequency 𝜔 is:
1
(a) (b) √2𝑚ℏ𝜔 (c) 0 (d) ∞
√2𝑚ℏ𝜔

79. The unnormalized ground state wave function of a partial confined to a one-dimensional box of
length L is:
2𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥 𝐿 𝐿
(a) A sin( 𝐿
) (b) A sin( 𝐿 ) (c) A sin(𝜋𝑥) (d) A sin(2𝜋𝑥)

80. A stream of particles of mass m and energy E encounter a potential step of height W(<E). In the
limit W approaching E, the fraction of particles reflected from the barrier will
(a) Approach zero (b) Approach unit
(c) Diverge to infinity (d) Approach half

81. Consider one dimensional attractive potential of arbitrary shape. Which of the following
statement is true?
(a) Only one bound state exists. (b) It has at least one bound state.
(c) It may have bound state only if the depth of the potential is greater than some critical depth.
(d) It has no bound state.

82. For a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, let Ψ𝑛 (x) denote the eigenstate of the nth quantum
state. Which one of the statements is correct?
(a) Parity of Ψ𝑛 (x) is even when n is even. (b) Parity of Ψ𝑛 (x) is odd when n is even.
(c) Parity of Ψ𝑛 (x) is even where n is odd. (d) Ψ𝑛 (x) has mixed parity.

83. The schematic form of the ground state wave-function in the one-dimensional potential.
𝑉0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 ≥ |𝑥|
V(x) = { 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 < |𝑥| < 𝐿
∞ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 |𝑥| ≥ 𝐿
Where V0, a positive constant, is given by

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𝑘 2
84. A particle of mass m in one dimension moves in a potential V(x) = 2𝑎(1 - 𝑒 −𝑎𝑥 ), where k and 𝛼
are positive constants. If the particle executes small oscillations around x = 0, its quantum
mechanical zero-point energy is
1 ℏ2 𝑘 1 ℏ2 𝑘 1 ℏ2 𝑚 1 ℏ2 𝑚𝛼
(a) 2 √ 𝑚 (b) 2 √ 𝑚𝛼 (c) 2 √ 𝑘
(d) 2 √ 𝑘

85. A particle of mass m in one dimensional harmonic oscillator potential in the region 0 < x < ∞. At
x = 0 there is n infinite barrier. The energy levels of the particle are separated by
1 3 1
(a) 2 ℏ𝜔 (b) ℏ𝜔 (c) 2 ℏ𝜔 (d) 22 ℏ𝜔

2
86. A function of the form (x2 – 2) 𝑒 −𝑎𝑥 can represent the state of a one-dimensional quantum
mechanical system in
(a) its ground state (b) its first excited state
(c) its second exited state (d) a superposition of first and second excited state
1
87. A system is in state Ψ = 2
(Ψ1 + √3Ψ2 ) where Ψ1 and Ψ2 denote energy eigenstates
corresponding to the eigenvalues E1 and E2 respectively. When a measurement of energy is
made, the probability of obtaining the value E1 is
(a) √3/2 (b) 3/4 (c) 1/2 (d) 1/4

𝑥2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 > 0
88. Consider a particle in a one-dimensional potential V(x) = { . The schematic
∞ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≤ 0
form of the ground state wave function is as follows.

89. Ψ0 (𝑥), Ψ1 (𝑥) and Ψ2 (𝑥) are the simple harmonic oscillator wave functions corresponding to
1 3 5
energies 2 ℏ𝜔, 2 ℏ𝜔 and 2 ℏ𝜔 respectively. At t = 0 a particle is in the state
𝑖 √5 1
Ψ(𝑥) = 3 Ψ0 (𝑥) - 3
Ψ1 (𝑥) + 3 Ψ2 (𝑥)
√
If an energy measurement is made the most probable outcome is
5 1 9 3
(a) 2 ℏ𝜔 (b) 2 ℏ𝜔 (c) 2 ℏ𝜔 (d) 2 ℏ𝜔

𝑈 𝑓𝑜𝑟 |𝑥| < 1

90. One-dimensional barrier is given by the potential V(x) = { where U is a
0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 |𝑥| > 1
positive constant. Particles arriving from the left with an energy E<U impinge on the barrier. The
general form of the wave function in the region |𝑥| < 1 is
(a) a 𝑒 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑏 𝑒 −𝑘𝑥 (b) a 𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝑏 𝑒 −𝑘𝑥
𝑘𝑥 −𝑖𝑘𝑥
(c) a 𝑒 + b 𝑒 (d) a 𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + b 𝑒 −𝑘𝑥

91. Let a particle move in a potential field given by

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1
(2) 𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 > 0
V(x) = {
∞ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥≤0
The allowed energies of this particle are
(a) (n + 1/2) ℏ𝜔 (b) (2n + 3/2) ℏ𝜔
(c) (2n + 3/2) ℏ𝜔 (d) (n + 5/2) ℏ𝜔
where ‘n’ is a non-negative odd integer.

92. The ground state energy of a particle in the one-dimensional potential

1
𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 > 0
V(x) = {2 is equal to
∞ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥<0
3 5
(a) ℏ𝜔 (b) 2 ℏ𝜔 (c) 2ℏ𝜔 (d) 2 ℏ𝜔

1 𝜋𝑥
93. The particle in a box has a ground state wavefunction given by 𝜙(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (2𝑎 ). The
√𝑎
expectation value of x is:
𝑎2 𝑎2
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d) 1
3 𝜋2

94. The variation of transmission probability with energy E, of the particles hitting a potential barrier
of finite height, is represented as

95. Consider a particle trapped inside as infinite potential well. If an observer maker a measurement
to detect the particle just outside the well then
(a) He will always find the particle (b) He will never find the particle
(c) He will find the particle half the timer
(d) He will find the particle only if the measurement is performed for sufficiently long time.

96. The matter wave corresponding to a free particle moving in one dimension satisfies the time-
𝛿Ψ(𝑥,𝑡) ℏ2 𝜕2 Ψ
dependent Schrodinger wave equation 𝑖ℏ 𝛿𝑡
= − 2𝑚 𝜕𝑥 2

If ℏ𝑘 is the momentum, then the wave packet formed out of the matter waves moves with a
group velocity Vg equal to
ℏ ℏ2 ℏ2 ℏ𝑘
(a) 2𝑚 𝑘 2 (b) 2𝑚 𝑘 2 (c) 2𝑚 𝑘 2 (d) 𝑚

97. A particle limited to the x-axis has the wave function Ψ = √3 x between x = 0 and x = 1; Ψ = 0
elsewhere. The expectation value 〈𝑥〉 of the particle’s position is:
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1 3
(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) 4

98. The wave function 𝜓(𝑥) of a particle is as shown below

[GATE 2019]

Here, 𝐾 is a constant, and 𝑎 > 𝑑. The position uncertainty (𝛥𝑥) of the particle is

𝑎2 +3𝑑2 3𝑎2 +𝑑2 𝑑2 𝑑2

(a)√ 12
(b) √ 12
(c) √ 6 (d) √24

99. Consider a potential barrier 𝑉(𝑥) of the form:

[GATE 2019]
where 𝑦0 is a constant. For particles of energy 𝐸 < 𝑦0 incident on this barrier from the left
which of the following schematic diagrams best represents the probability density |𝜓(𝑥)|2
as a function of 𝑥.

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100. Consider the motion of a particle along the 𝑥-axis in a potential 𝑉(𝑥) = 𝐹|𝑥|. Its
ground state energy 𝐸0 is estimated using the uncertainty principle. Then 𝐸0 is proportional
to [GATE 2019]

(a) 𝐹1/3 (b) 𝐹1/2 (c) 𝐹2/5 (d) 𝐹2/3

101. The state vector of a one-dimensional simple harmonic oscillator of angular frequency
1
ω, at time 𝑡 = 0, is given by |𝜓(0)〉 = [|0〉 + |2〉], wlere |0〉 𝑎𝑛𝑑|2〉 are the normalized
√2
ground state and the second excited state, respectively. The minimum time after which the
state vector |𝜓(𝑡)〉 is orthogonal to |𝜓(0) 〉, is [CSIR Dec. 2017]
𝜋 2𝜋 𝜋 4𝜋
(a) 2𝜔 (b) (c) 𝜔 (d)
𝜔 𝜔

102. At 𝑡 = 0, the wavefunction of an otherwise free particle confined between two infinite
walk at 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 𝐿 is

2 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑥, 𝑟 = 0) = √𝐿 ( sin − 𝑠𝑚̇ ).
𝐿 𝐿

𝑚𝐿2
Its wavefunction at a later time 𝑡 = is [CSIR June 2018]
4𝜋ℏ

2 𝜋𝑥 2𝜋𝑥 2 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥
(a) √𝐿 (sin 𝐿
− 𝑠𝑚̇ 𝐿 ) 𝑒−𝑖𝜋/6 (b) √𝐿 (sin 𝐿
+ 𝑠𝑚̇ 𝐿 ) 𝑒−𝑖𝜋/6

2 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥 2 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥
(c) √𝐿 (sin 𝐿
− 𝑠𝑚̇ 𝐿 ) 𝑒−𝑖𝜋/8 (d) √𝐿 (sin 𝐿
+ 𝑠𝑚̇ 𝐿 ) 𝑒−𝑖𝜋/8

103. The product 𝛥𝑥𝛥𝑝 ofuncertainties in the position and momentum of a simple harmonic
oscillator of mass 𝑚 and angular frequency 𝜔 in the ground state |0}, is ћ/2. The value of
the product 𝛥𝑥𝛥𝑝 in the state 𝑒−𝑖𝑝̂𝑙/ћ |0〉, (where 𝑙 is a constant and 𝑝̂ is the momentum
operator) is [CSIR Dec. 2018]

ћ 𝑚𝜔𝑙2 ћ ћ2
(a) 2 √ (b) ћ (c) 2 (d)𝑚𝑤𝑙2
ћ

104. A quantum particle of mass 𝑚 in one dimension, confined to arigid box as shown in the
figure, is in its ground state. An infinitesimally thin walls very slowly raised to infinity at the
centre of the box, in such a way that the system remains in its ground state at all times.
Assuming that no energy is lost in raising the wall, the work done done on the system when
the wall is fully raised, eventually separating the original box into two compartments, is
[CSIR June 2019]

3𝜋 2 ћ2 𝜋 2 ћ2 𝜋 2 ћ2
(a) (b) 8𝑚𝐿2 (c) 2𝑚𝐿2 (d) 0
8𝑚𝐿2

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105. The wavefunction of a free particle of mass 𝑚, constrained to move in the interval
−𝐿 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿, is 𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐴(𝐿 + 𝑥)(𝐿 − 𝑥), whereA is the normalization constant. The
𝜋 2 ћ2
probability that the particle will be found to have the energy 2𝑚𝐿2 is [CSIR June 2019]
1 1 1
(a) 0 (b) (c) 2√3 (d)
√2 √𝜋

106. A particle of mass 𝑚 and energy 𝐸 > 0, in one dimension is scattered by the potential
shown below.

If the particle was moving from 𝑥 = −∞ to 𝑥 = ∞, which of the following graphs gives the
best qualitative representation of the wavefunction of this particle? [CSIR June 2019]

107. The energy eigenvalues of a particle of mass 𝑚, confined to a rigid one-dimensional

box of width 𝐿, are 𝐸𝑛 (𝑛 = 1,2, ..). If the walls of the box are moved very slowly toward
each other, the rate of change of time-dependent energy 𝑑𝐸2 /𝑑𝑡 of the first excíted state is
[CSIR Dec. 2019]
𝐸1 𝑑𝐿 2𝐸2 𝑑𝐿 2𝐸2 𝑑𝐿 𝐸1 𝑑𝐿
(a) (b) (c) − (d) −
𝐿 𝑑𝑡 𝐿 𝑑𝑡 𝐸 𝑑𝑡 𝐿 𝑑𝑡

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108. A particle of mass 𝑚 is confined to a box of unit length in one dimension. It is described
by the wavefunction 𝜓(𝑥) = √8/5 sin 𝜋𝑥(1 + cos 𝜋𝑥) for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1, and zero outside this
interval. The expectation value of energy in this state is [CSIR Dec. 2019]
4𝜋 2 4𝜋 2 2𝜋 2 8𝜋 2
(a) ћ2 (b) ћ2 (c) 5𝑚 ћ2 (d) ћ2
3𝑚 5𝑚 5𝑚

109. The operator 𝐴 = ∑∞𝑛=0 | 𝑛 + 1〉 〈𝑛| is defined in terms of the eigenstates |𝑛〉 of the
number operator of the simple harmonic oscillator. Which of the following relations is
obeyed by 𝐴 and its Hermitian conjugate 𝐴† ? (In the following 1 is the identity operator).

(a) 𝐴† 𝐴 = 1 and 𝐴𝐴† = 1 (b) 𝐴† 𝐴 = 1 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐴𝐴𝑡 ≠ 1 [CSIR Dec. 2019]

(c) 𝐴† 𝐴 ≠ 1 and 𝐴𝐴† = 1 (d) 𝐴† 𝐴 ≠ 1 and 𝐴𝐴† ≠ 1

110. A one dimensional harmonic oscillator (mass 𝑚 and frequency ω) is in a state 𝜓 such
that the only possible outcomes of an energy measurement are 𝐸0 , 𝐸1 or 𝐸2 , where 𝐸𝑛 is
the energy is the energy of the 𝑛-th excited state. If 𝐻 is the Hamiltonian of the oscillator,
〈𝜓|𝐻|𝜓〉 = 3ћ𝜔/2 and 〈𝜓|𝐻 2 |𝜓〉 = 11ћ2 𝜔2 /4, then the probability that the energy
measurement yields 𝐸0 is [JEST 2018]
(a) 1/2 (b) 1/4 (c) 1/8 (d) 0
111. The normalized eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian of a particle
confined to move between 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎 in one dimension are
2 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝜓𝑛 (𝑥) = sin
𝑎 𝑎
𝑛2 𝜋2 ћ2
and 𝐸𝑛 = 2𝑚𝑎2

respectively. Here 1, 2, 3,……… Suppose the state of the particle is

𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐴 sin ( ) [1 + cos ( )]
𝑎 𝑎
where 𝐴 is the normalization constant. If the energy of the particle is measured, the
𝜋2ℎ
probability to get the result as 2𝑚𝑎2 is 𝑥/100. What is the value of 𝑥? [JEST2018]

𝑏2𝑥2
112. The wave function 𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐴 exp (− ) (for real constants 𝐴 and 𝑏) is a normalized
2
eigenfunction of the Schrödinger equation for a particle of mass 𝑚 and energy 𝐸 in a one
dimensional potential 𝑉(𝑥) such that 𝑉(𝑥) = 0 at 𝑥 = 0. Which one of the following is
correct? [JEST2019]
ћ2 𝑏 4 𝑥 2 ћ2 𝑏 4 𝑥 2 ћ2 𝑏 4 ћ2 𝑏 4
(a) 𝑉 = (b) 𝑉 = (c) 𝐸 = (d)𝐸 =
𝑚 2𝑚 4𝑚 𝑚

113. A quantum particle of mass 𝑚 is in a one dimensional potential of the form

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1
𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 0
𝑉(𝑥) = {2
∞, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 0’
where 𝜔 is a constant. Which one of the following represents the possible ground state
wave function of the particle? [JEST2019]

1
114. A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator is in the state |𝜓〉 = ∑∞
𝑛=0 |𝑛〉, where |𝑛〉 is
√𝑛!
1
the normalized energy eigenstate with eigenvalue (𝑛 + 2) ћ𝜔. Let the expectation value of
1
the Hamiltonian in the state |𝜓〉 be expressed as 2 𝛼ћ𝜔. What is the value of 𝛼 ?
[JEST2019]
115. Consider a quantum particle in a one-dimensional box of length 𝐿. The coordinates of
the leftmost wall of the box is at 𝑥 = 0 and that ofthe rightmost wall is at 𝑥 = 𝐿. The
particle is in the ground state at 𝑡 = 0, we suddenly change the length of the box to 3𝐿 by
moving the right wall. What is the probability that the particle is in the ground state of the
new system immediately after the change? [JEST2019]
9 81 0.5
(a) 0.36 (b) 8𝜋 (c) 64𝜋2 (d) 𝐿
𝜋

116. A particle is confined inside a one-dimensional box of length 𝑙 and left undisturbed for
along time. In the most general case, its wave-function MUST be [TIFR 2018]
(a) the ground state of energy
(b) periodic, where 𝑙 equals an integer number of periods
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(c) a linear superposition of the energy eigenfunctions

(d) any one of the energy eigenfunctions.
117. The wave-function 𝛹 of a particle in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential is
given by
1 1/4 √2𝑥 𝑥2
𝛹 = (𝜋𝑙2 ) (1 + ) exp (− ) ,
𝑙 2𝑙2

where 𝑙 = 100𝜇𝑚. Find the expectation value of the position 𝑥 of this particle, in 𝜇𝑚.
[TIFR 2018]
118. A particle in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential is described by a wave-
function 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡〉. If the wavefunction changes to 𝜓(𝜆, 𝑥, 𝑡) , then the expectation value of
kinetic energy 𝑇 and the potential energy 𝑉 will change, respectively, to [TIFR 2018]

(a) 𝜆2 𝑇 and 𝑉/𝜆2 (b) 𝑇/𝜆2 and 𝑉/𝜆2 (c) 𝑇/𝜆2 and 𝜆2 𝑉 (d) 𝜆2 𝑇 and 𝜆2 𝑉
119. A particle moving in one dimension, is placed in an asymmetric square well potential
𝑉(𝑥) as sketched below.

The probability density 𝑝(𝑥) in the ground state will most closely resemble [TIFR 2019]

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120. An excited gas, consisting of spinless charged particles, is confined in an infinite square
well potential of width 𝑎, is found to radiate a spectrum whose 𝛼 lin𝑒 (largest wavelength)
has wavelength 816 𝑛𝑚. If the width 𝑎 of the well is halved to 𝑎/2, the wavelength of the 𝛿
line (fourth-largest wavelength) will be [TIFR 2019]
(a) 1.088 𝜇𝑚 (b) 0.306 𝜇𝑚 (c) 1.224 𝜇𝑚 (d) 26.122 𝜇𝑚
121. The wave function of a non-relativistic particle of mass 𝑚 in a one-dimensional
potential 𝑉(𝑥) has the form

𝜓(𝑥) = √𝑎𝑒 −𝑎|𝑥|

where |𝑥| denotes the absolute value of the coordinate 𝑥. The potential is 𝑉(𝑥〉 =
[TIFR 2019]
ћ2 𝑥 ћ2 𝑎 ћ2 𝑎 1
(a) − 𝑚 𝛿 (𝑎) (b) 𝛿(𝑥) (c) 0 (d) − {𝑎 + 2 𝛿(𝑥)}
𝑚 𝑚

122. In a one-dimensional system, the boundary condition that the derivative of the
wavefunction 𝜓 ′ (𝑥) should be continuous at every point is applicable whenever
[TIFR 2019]
(a) the wavefunction 𝜓(𝑥) is itself continuous everywhere.
(b) there is a bound state and the potential is piecewise continuous.
(c) there are bound or scattering states with define momentum.
(d) there is a bound state and the potential has no singularity anywhere.
123. At time 𝑡 = 0, the wave-function of a particle in a harmonic oscillator potential of
natural frequency 𝜔 is given by
1
𝜓(0) = [3𝜙0 − 2√2𝜙1 + 2√2𝜙2 ],
5
where 𝜙𝑛 (𝑥) denotes the eigenfunction belonging to the 𝑛𝑡ℎ eigenvalue of energy. At time
𝑡 = 𝜏, the wavefunction is found to be
𝑖
𝜓(𝜏) = − [3𝜙0 + 2√2𝜙1 + 2√2𝜙2 ]
5
The minimum value of 𝜏 is [TIFR 2019]
(a) 2𝜋/3𝜔 (b) 𝜋/2𝜔 (c) 𝜋/𝜔 (d) 2𝜋/𝜔

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ANSWER KEY .

1 C 42 A 83 A
2 A, B 43 C 84 A
3 A 44 D 85 D
4 B 45 A 86 C
5 D 46 * 87 D
6 C 47 * 88 A
7 C 48 A 89 D
8 D 49 A 90 A
9 A 50 C 91 A
10 B 51 B 92 B
11 C 52 A 93 A
12 C 53 C 94 A
13 D 54 A 95 B
14 C 55 A 96 D
15 D 56 0001 97 D
16 C 57 D 98 B
17 A 58 C 99 A
18 B 59 F 100 D
19 C 60 C 101 A
20 B 61 D 102 D
21 B 62 A 103 C
22 B 63 A 104 A
23 C 64 B 105 A
24 A 65 B 106 C
25 C 66 D 107 C
26 B 67 D 108 B
27 B 68 A 109 B
28 D 69 B 110 B
29 3.25 70 0 111 *
30 0 71 * 112 B
31 C 72 * 113 B
32 0.10 to 0.12 73 C 114 3
33 B 74 C 115 C
34 C 75 C 116 C
35 A 76 B, C 117 (071)
36 A 77 A 118 A
37 D 78 C 119 A
38 B 79 B 120 C
39 C 80 B 121 A
40 C 81 B 122 D
41 D 82 A 123 C

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