fiziks

Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Quantum Mechanics
JEST-2012
Q1. The ground state (apart from normalization) of a particle of unit mass moving in a one-
   
dimensional potential V(x) is exp  x 2 / 2 cosh 2 x . The potential V(x), in suitable
units so that h = 1, is (up to an addiative constant.)
(a) π2/2 (b)  2 / 2  2 x tanh 2 x  
(c)  2 / 2  2 x tan 2 x   (d)  2 / 2  2 x coth  2 x 
Ans. : (b)
Q2. Consider the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom. If  is the fine-structure constant, the
velocity of the electron in its lowest orbit is

or 1    c
c c
(a) (b) (c)  2 c (d)  c
1 1 2
Ans. : (d)
Solution: mvr  n
mv 2 1 ze 2 1 ze 2
 r
r 4 0 r 2 4 0 mr 2
1 ze 2
mv   n
4 0 mv 2
ze 2 e2
v and fine structure constant  
4 0 n 4 0 c
ze 2 ze 2 c
For lowest orbit, v  v
4 0  4 0 c
v  c
Q3.    
Define  x  f †  f , and  y  i f †  f , where the   are Pauli spin matrices and

 
f , f † obey anti-commutation relations  f , f   0, f , f †  1 . Then  z is given by

(a) f † f  1 (b) 2 f † f  1 (c) 2 f † f  1 (d) f † f

Ans. : (c)
Solution:  x y  i z

i z   x  y

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com  | Email: [email protected]  
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
1 i †
    
f  f f †  f    f †  f † f  ff †  f 2 
2
 z   x y   
i i

 
    f † f  1  f † . f    1  2 f † f   2 f † f  1

1
Q4. Consider a system of two spin- particles with total spin S  S1  S2 , where S1 and S2
2
are in terms of Pauli matrices  i . The spin triplet projection operator is

1 3 3 1
(a)  S1  S2 (b)  S1  S2 (c)  S1  S2 (d)  S1  S2
4 4 4 4
Ans. : (c)
Solution:  S  S1  S 2 S 2  S12  S 22  2S1  S 2

3 3 
S 2     2.S1  S2   2  S  0, 1
4 4 
3 
S 2  2   S1  S2   2 for Triplet projection operator
4 
3 
s  s  1  2  2   S1  S 2   2 S 1
4 
3  3
11  1  2  S1  S 2    S1  S 2  I
4  4
1
Q5. Consider a spin- particle in the homogeneous magnetic field of magnitude B along z -
2

axis which is prepared initially in a state  

1
2
 
  at time t  0 . At what time

t will the particles be in the state   (  B is Bohr magneton)?

 2 
(a) t  (b) t  (c) t  (d) Never
B B B B 2 B B
Ans.: (a)
 1 1
Solution: E   B  B zˆ    
2 1

1  1  iEtb
  x, t    e    x, t    
2  1

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com  | Email: [email protected]  
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
 i B Bt
1 1   1 1
 e   
2 1 2 1
 i B Bt
e 
 1
  Bt 
cos B   cos 
  
B B t 
 t 
 B B
1
Q6. The ground state energy of 5 identical spin- particles which are subject to a one-
2
dimensional simple harmonic oscillator potential of frequency ω is
15 13 1
(a)  (b)  (c)  (d) 5
2 2 2
Ans. : (b)
1
Solution: Degeneracy  2 s  1  2   1  2
2
1 3 5 13
Eground  2    2    1   
2 2 2 2
Q7. The spatial part of a two-electron state is symmetric under exchange. If  and 

represent the spin-up and spin-down states respectively of each particle, the spin-part of
the two-particle state is
(a)   (b)  


(c)      / 2  
(d)      / 2 
Ans. : (c)
Solution: Since, electrons are Fermions and Fermions have anti-symmetric wave function
 spatial part is symmetric then its spin part is antisymmetric to maintain antisymmtric
wave function

 x  
1
2
     

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com  | Email: [email protected]  
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q8. The wave function of a free particle in one dimension is given by
  x   A sin x  B sin 3 x . Then   x  is an eigenstate of
(a) the position operator (b) the Hamiltonian
(c) the momentum operator (d) the parity operator
Ans. : (d)
Solution:   x     x 
   x  {parity (even and odd)
  x   A sin  x   B sin  3 x    A sin x  B sin 3 x 
  x     x   negative parity i.e. parity operator

Q9. The quantum state sin x   expi  cos x  , where    0 and x,  are, real, is

orthogonal to:
(a) sin x  (b) cos x   expi sin x 

(c)  cos x   expi sin x  (d)  exp i  cos x   sin x 

Ans.: (d)
Solution:    0 ,   sin x   expi  cos x 

     exp  i  cos x sin x    exp  i  exp  i  cos x  

 sin 2 x    exp  i  cos x sin x  

  expi  cos x sin x  expi  cos x sin x  0

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com  | Email: [email protected]  
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
JEST-2013
Q10. A particle of mass m is contained in a one-dimensional infinite well extending from

to x  . The particle is in its ground state given by  0  x   2 / L cosx / L  .

L L
x
2 2
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?
(a) 8 / 3  (c) 16 / 3  (d) 4 / 3 
2 2 2
(b) 0
Ans.: (a)
2 2 x 2 x
Solution: Probability  0 1 , 0  cos , 1 cos
L L 2L 2L
Since the wall of box are moved suddenly then
2 2
L/2 2 1 cos  x cos  x 2 1 L / 2 2 cos  x cos  x
Probability  L / 2 L

L L

2L
dx 
L 2  L / 2 L

2L
dx

2 L/2 2
2 1 L / 2   3 x    x  2 1  2L 3 x 2 L x
   cos    cos    dx    sin  sin
L 2  L / 2   2L   2L  L 2  3 2L  2 L   L / 2
2 2 2
2 1  2 L  3 3  2L     2 2 8
    sin  sin   sin  sin     
L 2  3  4 4    4 4  3  3

Q11. A quantum mechanical particle in a harmonic oscillator potential has the initial wave
function  0  x    1  x  , where  0 and  1 are the real wavefunctions in the ground and

first excited state of the harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian. For convenience we take
m      1 for the oscillator. What is the probability density of finding the particle at
x at time t   ?

(a)  1  x   0  x   (b)  1  x     0  x  
2 2 2

(c)  1  x    0  x   (d)  1  x     0  x  
2 2 2

Ans.: (a)
Solution:  x    0 x    1  x 

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com  | Email: [email protected]  
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Et Et
  x, t    0  x  e  i 0   1  x  e  i 1
 
Now probability density at time t
t
  x, t    *  x, t   x, t    0  x    1  x   2 Re 0*  x  1  x  cos  E1  E0 
2 2 2


putting t  

  x, t    0  x    1  x   2 Re 0*  x  1  x  cos   E1  E0    1
2 2 2

  x, t    0  x    1  x   2 Re 0*  x  1  x    1  x   0  x  
2 2 2 2

Q12. If J x , J y and J z are angular momentum operators, the eigenvalues of the operator
J x  Jy 
are:

(a) real and discrete with rational spacing
(b) real and discrete with irrational spacing
(c) real and continuous
(d) not all real
Ans.: (b)
1 i 0 1  0 0 
Solution: J x   J  J  , J y   J  J   J     , J    1 0 
2 2 0 0   
 0 1  i 0 1 J  J y 1  0 1 i
Jx    , Jy     x  
2 1 0  2 1 0   2 1  i 0 

1    1 i
eigen value    2  2  0     2
2 1  i   
Q13. A simple model of a helium-like atom with electron-electron interaction is replaced by
Hooke’s law force is described by Hamiltonian
 2 2 
2m
 
1

1   22  m 2 r12  r22 
2 4
   2
m 2 r1  r2 .

What is the exact ground state energy?

3

(a) E   1  1  
2
 (b) E 
3
2

 1   
(c) E 
3
2
 1   (d) E 
3
2

 1  1   
Ans.: (b)

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com  | Email: [email protected]  
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
1 / 2 
Q14. Consider the state 1 / 2  corresponding to the angular momentum l  1 in the L z basis
1 / 2 
of states with m  1, 0,  1 . If L2z is measured in this state yielding a result 1, what is the
state after the measurement?

1  1/ 3   0 1 / 2 
       
(a)  0  (b)  0  (c)  0  (d)  0 
 0   1  
   2/3   1 / 2 
Ans.: (d)
1 0 0  1 0 0 1 0 0
         
Solution: L z   0 0 0  , L z   0 0 0  , eigenvector
2
 0 , 1, 0
 0 0  1 0 0 1  0 0 1
         
Corresponding eigenvalue 1, 0, 1

1 1
  1  
Now state after measurement yielding 1 1  3   0   0
1 2 
  1
  
Q15. What are the eigenvalues of the operator H    a , where  are the three Pauli matrices

and a is a vector?
(c)  a x  a y  a z 

(a) a x  a y and a z (b) a x  a z  ia y (d)  a

Ans.: (d)
Solution: H    a   x .a x   y .a y   z .a z 
 

0 1  0 i  1 0  

az a x ia y  

  ax    ay    az 
 0 1   ax  ia y 
1 0 i 0    az 

For eigen value,

  az     ax  ia y  
   0    az    az      ax  ia y  ax  ia y   0
  ax  ia y    az    
 
  az2   2  ax2  a y2  0   2  ax2  a y2  az2     a

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
Website: www.physicsbyfiziks.com  | Email: [email protected]  
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 

Q16. The hermitian conjugate of the operator   is
 x 
   
(a) (b)  (c) i (d)  i
x x x x
Ans.: (a)

    x  
† *
 
Solution:   *  x     x       x 
 x   x 


 
      x  *

    x      x   dx   *  x   x    
*
  x  dx

 x    x

  *  x 
   x  dx
 x
Q17. If the expectation value of the momentum is p for the wavefunction   x  , then the

expectation value of momentum for the wavefunction eikx /   x  is

(a) k (b) p  k (c) p  k (d) p

Ans.: (c)
   
Solution:   *  x   i   x  dx  p

 x 
Now
 
ikx
   ikx 
 ikx
 ikx  ik ikx 
 e 
  x   i  e   x  dx   e   x  i   e
*  *
  x   e   x 

 x  
 x  
 
ikx
   
ikx
 ik  ikx
 e 
  x   i   x   e   i. e   *  x   x  dx
*

 x   
    
   *  x   i   x    k   *  x   x   p  K

 x  

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
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Q18. Two electrons are confined in a one dimensional box of length L . The one-electron states

2  n x 
are given by  n  x   sin   . What would be the ground state wave function
L  L 
  x1 , x2  if both electrons are arranged to have the same spin state?

1 2   x1   2 x2  2  2 x1    x2  
(a)   x1 , x2    L sin  L  sin  L   L sin  L  sin  L  
2         

1 2   x1   2 x2  2  2 x1    x2  
(b)   x1 , x2    L sin  L  sin  L   L sin  L  sin  L  
2        
2   x   2 x2 
(c)   x1 , x2   sin  1  sin  
L  L   L 
2  2 x1    x2 
(d)   x1 , x2   sin   sin  
L  L   L 
Ans.: (b)
1
Solution: Electrons are Fermions of spin and its wave functions are anti-symmetric
2
Since, spin part is symmetric, therefore, space part will be anti-symmetric (since as total
wave function is anti-symmetric)
Then,
1 2   x1   2 x2  2  2 x1    x2  
  x1 , x2    L sin  L  .sin  L   L sin  L  .sin  L  
2         

d  d 
Q19. The operator   x   x  is equivalent to
 dx  dx 
d2 d2
(a) 2
 x2 (b) 2
 x2 1
dx dx
d2 d d2 d
(c) 2
 x x2 1 (d) 2
 2x  x 2
dx dx dx dx
Ans.: (b)
d  d  d  d 
Solution:    x   x  f  x     x   f  x   xf  x 
 dx  dx   dx   dx 

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
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d d 
f x   xf x   x f x   x 2 f x 
d
 
dx  dx  dx

d2 df  x  d
 2
f  x  f  x  x x f  x   x2 f  x 
dx dx dx

d2  d2 
 f  x   x 2
f  x   f  x   
 dx 2  x 2
 1  f x 
dx 2  

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
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JEST-2014
Q20. Suppose a spin 1 / 2 particle is in the state
1 1  i 
   
6 2 
If S x ( x component of the spin angular momentum operator) is measured what is the

probability of getting   / 2 ?
(a) 1 / 3 (b) 2 / 3 (c) 5 / 6 (d) 1 / 6
Ans.: (c)
 0 1    1 1
Solution: S x    with eigenvalues  and eigenvector corresponding to is  
2 1 0  2 2 2 1

Now probability getting 
2
2
1 1 1  i 

 1 1  2  1
1 i  2
2

 2 6   5
p     12 
2   1 1  i  1 6
1  i 2  2  6
6
6  
Q21. The Hamiltonian operator for a two-state system is given by
H    1 1  2 2  1 2  2 1 ,

where  is a positive number with the dimension of energy. The energy eigenstates
corresponding to the larger and smaller eigenvalues respectively are:

(a) 1   
2 1 2 , 1   2  1 2 (b) 1   
2 1 2 , 1   2  1 2
(c) 1   2  1 2 ,  2  1 1  2 (d) 1  2  1 2 ,  2  1 1  2

Ans.: (b)
Solution: H    1 1  2 2  1 2  2 1   H 1    1  2  , H 2    1  2 
Lets check for option (b): 1   
2 1 2 , 1   2  1 2
Now H      H 1  2  1 2   H 1  H  2  1 2
 

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
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   
H  1  2 1 2   H  1   2 1 H 2    1  2   2 1   1  2 
   
  1  2  1 1   1 
  
2 1  2   2 1   2  2 2
  
 2  1 
  2 1 2 
 

Now H 1  2  1 2  H  1 
   
2 1 2   H 1  H
  
2 1 2

   1  2   
    
2  1  1  2    1  2  1 1   1  2  1 2
  
 
  2 1  2  2  2   2  1  1  2 2 
   
2 
Q22. Consider an eigenstate of L and Lz operator denoted by l, m . Let A  nˆ  L denote an

operator, where n̂ is a unit vector parametrized in terms of two angles

as  nx , n y , nz    sin  cos  ,sin  sin  , cos   . The width  A in l, m state is:

l l  1  m 2 l l  1  m 2
(a)  cos  (b)  sin 
2 2

(c) l l  1  m 2  sin  (d) l l  1  m 2  cos 

Ans.: (c)
 x y z
Solution: A  nˆ  L  A  Lx   Ly   Lz 
r r r
r sin  cos  r sin  sin  r cos 
 A  Lx   Ly   Lz 
r r r
 A  Lx sin  cos   Ly sin   sin   Lz cos 

2
Now A  A2  A

A  Lx sin  cos   Ly sin  sin   Lz cos 

A   m  cos   Lx  0, Ly  0

A 2  L2x sin 2  cos 2   L2y sin 2  sin 2   L2z cos 2 

 L2
x 
 L2y sin 2   L2z cos 2 

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
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 L 2

 L2z sin 2   L2z cos 2 

 A2  l  l  1  m 2   2 sin 2   m 2  2 cos 2 

 A2  l  l  1  m 2   2 sin 2   m 2  2 cos 2 

A  A2  A
2
  l  l  1  m  
2 2
sin 2   m 2  2 cos 2   m 2  2 cos 2 

A  l  l  1  m 2   sin 

Q23. Consider a three-state system with energies E , E and E  3g (where g is a constant) and

1 1 1

1   1   1  
respective eigenstates  1  1 ,  2  1 and  3  1
2   6   3  
0  2  1

1
 
If the system is initially (at t  0 ), in state  i   0 
0
 

0
 
what is the probability that at a later time t system will be in state  f  0
1
 
4 2  3 gt 
(a) 0 (b) sin  
9  2 
4  3 gt  4 2  E  3gt 
(c) cos 2   (d) sin  
9  2  9  2 
Ans.: (b)
Q24. 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
1
three non-interacting spin particles is
2
(a) 6 eV (b) 10 eV (c) 12 eV (d) 16 eV
Ans.: (c)

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
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 
2 2
Solution: E1   2eV , E2  4 E1  8 eV
2ml 2
1 1
Spin, spin is , therefore, degeneracy gi  2S  1  2   1  2
2 2
 ground state energy = 2  2 eV  1  8 eV  12 eV
Q25. A ball bounces off earth. You are asked to solve this quantum mechanically assuming the
earth is an infinitely hard sphere. Consider surface of earth as the origin implying
V 0   and a linear potential elsewhere (i.e. V  x    mgx for x  0 ). Which of the
following wave functions is physically admissible for this problem (with k  0 ):
2 2
(a)   e  kx / x (b)   xe  kx (c)    Axekx (d)   Ae  kx
Ans.: (b)
2
Solution:   xe  kx
For given potential, at x  0 and x   wave function must vanish.
Q26. The operator A and B share all the eigenstates. Then the least possible value of the
product of uncertainties AB is
(a)  (b) 0 (c)  / 2 (d) Determinant (AB)
Ans.: (b)

Solution: A  B 
AB
2
A  B  0 [ A and B have share their eigen values, so AB   0 ]
Q27. Consider a square well of depth  V0 and width a with V0 as fixed. Let V0   and

a  0 . This potential well has

(a) No bound states (b) 1 bound state
(c) 2 bound states (d) Infinitely many bound states
Ans.: (b)
Solution: It forms delta potential, so it has only one bound state.

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
Phone: 011‐26865455/+91‐9871145498
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JEST-2015
2

 
Q28. Consider a harmonic oscillator in the state   e 2
e a 0 , where 0 is the ground

state, a  is the raising operator and  is a complex number. What is the probability that
the harmonic oscillator is in the n th eigenstate n ?
2 2
 
n
2n  2n
  
n
2  2 
2 
(a) e (b) e n!
(c) e (d) e 2
n! n! n!
Ans.: (a)

 a  a 
n n

2

2  

 
 

 n
Solution:   e 2
e a 0  e 2
0 and n  0  a 0  n n
n n n

  
n
 
2 *


n n
 n n
  
2 2 2 2
 
 e 2
n    e n n e  e  e   1
 n
2
n n n n
2
n 2
Probability that  is in n state is,  n
 
 
2 2
 n 
 n  1
 e 2
 n n
n e 2
 n
n

n
n
2


2  2n
 1 e 2 n 

2 2

 n e 2 n
nn    n e
n n n n

Q29. A particle of mass m moves in 1  dimensional potential V  x  , which vanishes at infinity.

The exact ground state eigenfunction is   x   A sec h   x  , where A and  are

constants. The ground state energy eigenvalue of this system is,

 2 2  2 2  2 2  2 2
(a) E  (b) E   (c) E   (d) E 
m m 2m 2m
Ans.: (d)
d
Solution:   x   A sec h   x     A sec h   x  tanh   x 
dx
d 2
   A   sec h   x  tan 2 h   x     sec h   x  sec 2 h   x  
dx 2

H.No. 40‐D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi‐110016 
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  A sec h   x    tan h   x   sec h   x   
2 2 2

  A 2 sec h   x  sec 2 h   x   tan 2 h   x   

  A 2 sec h   x  sec 2 h   x   1  sec 2 h   x    

 
 tan 2 h   x   1  sec 2 h   x 

  A 2 sec h   x  sec 2 h   x   1  sec 2 h   x   

d 2
   A 2  2sec3 h   x   sec h   x  
dx 2
d 2  2 d 2
Now put the value in equation   V  x   x   E  x 
dx 2 2m dx 2
2 2
  A  2sec3 h   x   sec h   x    V  x  A sec h   x   EA sec h   x 
2m
V  x   0 as x  

2 2 2 2
  A sec h   x   2 A sec3 h   x   EA sec h   x 
2m 2m
Now we have to do approximation i.e. sec3 h   x  dacays very fastly as x   so second

term
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 A sec h   x   0 . Thus
3
A sec h   x   EA sec h   x   E 
2m 2m 2m
1
Q30. Consider a spin  particle characterized by the Hamiltonian H  S z . Under a
2
perturbation H   gS x , the second order correction to the ground state energy is given by,

g2 g2 g2 g2
(a)  (b) (c)  (d)
4 4 2 2
Ans.: (a)
 1 0 
Solution:  H   sz sz 
2 0 1
and

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  1 0  g  1 0 
H    and H   gsx   
2  0 1 2  0 1 
 0
Ground state energy is  with eigenvector 1   
2 1
 1
and first excited state energy is with eigenvector 2   
2 0
2 2
m H  1 m H  1
Second order correction in ground state E12   
E10  Em0  
m 1
 
2 2
2
0 10
1 0    
g 22 1 01 g 22 g2
 E1 
2
  
4 2  4  4

2
Q31. Given that  1 and  2 are eigenstates of a Hamiltonian with eigenvalues E1 and E2

respectively, what is the energy uncertainty in the state  1   2  ?

1
(a)  E1 E 2 (b) E1  E 2
2
1 1
(c) E1  E 2  (d) E 2  E1
2 2
Ans.: (b)

Solution: E2 
1 2 1 2
E1  E2 
E12  E22   and E 
1 1
E1  E2
2 2 2 2 2

 E  E 2
 E
2

E
1
2
 E22   1 E  E  2

2 E12  2 E22  E12  E22  2 E1 E2
1 2
2 4 4

E12  E22  2 E1 E2 1
 E   E1  E2
4 2

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kr 2
Q32. A particle moving under the influence of a potential V r   has a wavefunction
2
  r , t  . If the wavefunction changes to   r , t  , the ratio of the average final kinetic
energy to the initial kinetic energy will be,
1 1
(a) (b)  (c) (d)  2
 2

Ans.: (c)
 2  2
     r dr ,  is

Solution: For   r , t  the average kinetic energy T    *  r , t    2 2
0
 2m 

written in spherical polar coordinate, which is dimension of  length 

2

For wave function   r , t 

 2  2
 

T    *  r , t        r , t  r dr
2
0
 2 m 
r dr 
Put  r  r  or r   dr  and  2r   2  r2
 
2
   2  2
1   2  2
T  0  *  r , t   
    r , t  r  dr  
2
  *  r , t       r , t  r  dr 
2

3  2m   0
 2m 
T T 1
 T    
 T 
Q33. If a Hamiltonian H is given as H  0 0  1 1  i  0 1  1 0  , where 0 and 1 are

orthonormal states, the eigenvalues of H are

(a)  1 (b)  i (c)  2 (d)  i 2
Ans: (c)
Solution: H  0 0  1 1  i  0 1  1 0 

H 0  0 i 1 and H 1   1 i 0

0 H 0 0 H 1 1 i 
The matrix representation of H is  
1H 0 1H 1  i 1
1   i 
Eigenvalue of H 
1   
 2

  0   1    1  0     2
 i

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L L
Q34. A particle of mass m is confined in a potential well given by V  x   0 for x
2 2

and V  x    elsewhere. A perturbing potential H  x   ax has been applied to the

L
2
system. Let the first and second order corrections to the ground state be E 01 and E02  ,
respectively. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) E 01  0 and E 02   0 (b) E 01  0 and E 02   0

(c) E 01  0 and E 02   0 (d) E01  0 and E 02  0

Ans.: (d)
0  L / 2  x  L / 2
Solution: V  x    and H   x    x
 elsewhere

2 x
For ground state 0  cos
L L
0 H  0 2 L/2 x
E01     x cos 2 0
0 0 L  L/2 L
2
m H  0
E0  
 2
 E0   0
2
 E00  Em0
m0 E E
0
0
0
m

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JEST-2016
Q35. The wavefunction of a hydrogen atom is given by the following superposition of energy

eigen functions  nlm  r  ( n, l , m are the usual quantum numbers):

 2  3  1 
 r   100  r    210  r    322  r 
7 14 14
The ratio of expectation value of the energy to the ground state energy and the
expectation value of L2 are, respectively:
229 12 2 101 12 2
(a) and (b) and
504 7 504 7
101 229
(c) and  2 (d) and  2
504 504
Ans.: (a)
2 E 9 E 1 E 229
Solution: E   0   0   0  E0
7 1 14 4 14 9 504
2 9 1 24 12
L2   0 2   2 2   6 2   2   2
7 14 14 14 7
1
Q36. A spin- particle in a uniform external magnetic field has energy eigenstates 1 and 2 .
2

The system is prepared in ket-state

 1  2  at time t  0 . It evolves to the state
2

described by the ket

 1  2  in time T . The minimum energy difference between two
2
levels is:
h h h h
(a) (b) (c) (d)
6T 4T 2T T
Ans.: (c)
  E1t   E t 
1 i  2 exp  i 2  
Solution:   t  0  
1  2    t t 

  

  
 
2 2
   E2  E1  t  
 1  2 exp  i  
 E1t     
  t  t    i 
   2

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  E  E1  t 
exp  i 2   1
  
 E2  E1  T    E  E     h
 2 1
 T 2T
Q37. The energy of a particle is given by E  p  q where p and q are the generalized

momentum and coordinate, respectively. All the states with E  E0 are equally probable

and states with E  E0 are inaccessible. The probability density of finding the particle at

coordinate q , with q  0 is:

(a)
 E0  q  (b)
q
(c)
 E0  q  (d)
1
2
E0 E02 E 2
0 E0
Ans.: (c)
Solution: For condition, E  p  q total number of accessible state upto energy E0 for q  0

1
is area under the curve   2  E02  E02
2
The probability density of finding the particle at coordinate q , with q  0

dpdq pdq  E  q  dq
 2  0 2
2
E0 E0 E0

For probability at point q , dq is insignificant so p  q  

 E0  q 
E02

Q38. Consider a quantum particle of mass m in one dimension in an infinite potential well, i.e.,
a a a
V  x   0 for x and V  x    for x . A small perturbation,
2 2 2
2 x
V  x  is added. The change in the ground state energy to O  is:
a
 
(a)
2 2 
2 4  (b)
2 2 
2 4 
 2 2  2 2
(c)
2
 4   (d)
2

 4 
Ans.: (a)

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a a
2 2 2 2 x
2
Solution: E11   1*V '  x 1dx   x cos dx

a a 
a a a
2 2

a a a
2 22 x 24 2 2 x   2 x 
4 2
 .2.  x cos 2 dx  2  x  cos  1dx  2  x  cos  1dx
a 0 a a a 0 2 a  a 0  a 
a
4 2  2 x  
 2  x  cos
a 0  a
 1dx 
 2 2
2 4  
1
Q39. If Yxy 
2
Y2,2  Y2,2  where Yl ,m are spherical harmonics then which of the following
is true?
(a) Yxy is an eigenfunction of both L2 and Lz

(b) Yxy is an eigenfunction of L2 but not Lz

(c) Yxy is an eigenfunction both of Lz but not L2

(d) Yxy is not an eigenfunction of either L2 and Lz

Ans.: (b)
Solution: The L2Yxy  l  l  1  2Yxy , where l  2 and LzYxy  mYxy

So, Yxy is an eigenfunction of L2 but not Lz

2 
1  
Q40. A spin-1 particle is in a state  described by the column matrix  2  in the S z
10  
 2i 
basis. What is the probability that a measurement of operator S z will yield the result 

for the state S x  ?

1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 3 4 6
Ans.: (c)

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0 1 0  2 
   1  
Solution: S x  1 0 1 ,    2
2   10  
0 1 0  2i 
 1 
2  
Sx    1  i 
10  
 1 

1 0 0 
 
Sz    0 0 0 
 0 0 1 
 

1
The eigen state corresponding to eigen value  of S z is  0 
0
 
2
 1 
2  
1 0 0   1  i 
10  
 1  1
 P   
 1  4
2 2  
 1 1  i 1 1  i 
10  1 
 
Q41. The Hamiltonian of a quantum particle of mass m confined to a ring of unit radius is:
2
2   
H  i  
2m   
where  is the angular coordinate,  is a constant. The energy eigenvalues and
eigenfunctions of the particle are ( n is an integer):
ein 2 sin  n  2
(a)  n    n   (b)  n    n  
2 2
and En  and En 
2 2m 2 2m
cos  n  2 ein 2
(c)  n     n    (d)  n    n  
2 2
and En  and En 
2 2m 2 2m

Ans.: (a)

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2
  
2
   
2 2
 
Solution: H   i      2  2i   2   E
2m    2m    
ein
By inspection,  n    , which will also satisfy boundary condition
2

 n   2    n   and satisfies the eigen value equation with eigen value

2  n   
2
E
2m
d
Q42. The adjoint of a differential operator acting on a wavefunction   x  for a quantum
dx
mechanical system is:
d d d d
(a) (b) i (c)  (d) i
dx dx dx dx
Ans.: (c)
 1
Q43. For a quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator with energies, En   n    , where
 2
n  0,1, 2... , the partition function is:
 
k BT   2 k BT
e e
(a) 
(b) e 2 k BT
1 (c) e 2 k BT
1 (d) 

e 2 k BT
1 e k BT  1
Ans.: (d)
    3   5   7 
Solution: z  exp     exp     exp     exp    ......
 2kT   2kT   2kT   2kT 

        2   
z  exp    1  exp     exp    ..... 
 2kT    kT   kT  

     
exp    exp  
 2kT   1  2kT 
z 
           
1  exp   exp    exp    exp   1
 kT   2kT   2kT   kT 

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Q44. In the ground state of hydrogen atom, the most probable distance of the electron from the
nucleus, in units of Bohr radius a0 is:

1 3
(a) (b) 1 (c) 2 (d)
2 2
Ans.: (d)
r
1
Solution:  100  e a0

 a03
r
1 dP
P     3 e a0  rp 
*
 0  rp  a0
 a0 dr

Q45. For operators P and Q , the commutator  P, Q 1  is

(a) Q 1  P, Q  Q 1 (b) Q 1  P, Q  Q 1 (c) Q 1  P, Q  Q (d) Q  P, Q  Q 1

Ans.: (b)
Solution:  P, Q 1   PQ 1  Q 1 P

Q 1  P, Q  Q 1  Q 1  PQ  QP  Q 1  Q 1  PQQ 1  QPQ 1   Q 1 P  PQ 1   P, Q 1 

Q46. A spin
1
particle is in a state
     where  and  are the eigenstates of S z
2 2
operator. The expectation value of the spin angular momentum measured along x
direction is:

(a)  (b)  (c) 0 (d)
2
Ans.: (d)
1  

Solution:  
    2 

 0 1
, Sx   
2 1   2 1 0

2 
 1 
 1 1   0 1 2  
Sx      
 2 2  2 1 0 1  2
 
 2

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JEST 2017

Q47. What is the dimension of , where  is a wavefunction in two dimensions?
ix
(a) kg m 1s 2 (b) kg s 2 (c) kg m 2 s 2 (d) kg s 1
Ans. : (d)
 dim of  kg  m  sec 2  sec
Solution: Dimension of    kg sec 1
ix dim of x m
Q48. Suppose the spin degrees of freedom of a 2 - particle system can be described by a 21 -
dimensional Hilbert subspace. Which among the following could be the spin of one of the
particles?
1 3
(a) (b) 3 (c) (d) 2
2 2
Ans. : (b)
Solution: Dimension of Hilbert space   2 s1  1   2 s2  1  7  3  21

So, s1  3, s2  1
Q50. If the ground state wavefunction of a particle moving in a one dimensional potential is

proportional to exp   x 2 / 2  cosh  

2 x , then the potential in suitable units such that

  1 , is proportional to

(a) x 2 (b) x 2  2 2 x tanh  2x

(c) x 2  2 2 x tan  2x  (d) x 2  2 2 x coth  2 x 

Ans. : (b)
Solution: From figure, we can conclude that option (b) is the correct answer.
 V

x x

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Q51. A particle is described by the following Hamiltonian
pˆ 2 1
Hˆ   m 2 xˆ 2   xˆ 4
2m 2
where the quartic term can be treated perturbatively. If E0 and E1 denote the energy

correction of O    to the ground state and the first excited state respectively, what is the

fraction E1 / E0 ?

Ans. : 5
Pˆ 2 1
Solution: Hˆ   m 2 xˆ 2   xˆ 4
2m 2
Now, energy correction of O    to ground state is
2 2
     
E0  0 xˆ 4 0    0 6n  6n  3 0  
2
 3
 2m   2m 
And energy correction of O    to first excited state is
2
  
E1  1 xˆ 1  
4
 1 6n  6 n  3 1
2

 2m 
2 2
     
    6  6  3  15  
 2m   2m 
E1 15
Hence,  5
E0 3

Q52. If x̂  t  be the position operator at a time t in the Heisenberg picture for a particle

pˆ 2 1
ˆ
described by the Hamiltonian, H   m 2 xˆ 2 what is ei  t 0 xˆ  t  xˆ  0  0 in units of
2m 2

where 0 is the ground state?
2m
Solution: Operator X̂  t  in Hisenburg picture is written as

Xˆ  t   eiHt /  Xˆ  0  eiHt / 

Thus, 0 Xˆ  t  Xˆ  0  0  0 eiHt /  X  0  e  iHt /  X  0  0


Here, Xˆ  0  0  1
2m

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So, above equation reduces as,


0 Xˆ  t  Xˆ  0  0  0 eiHt /  Xˆ  0  e  iHt /  1
2m
In integral form,

0 Xˆ  t  Xˆ  0  0   0*  t  Xˆ  0  1  t  dx
2m
i  t  i 3  t
   it *
  0* e 2  Xˆ  0  1e 2
dx  e  0 x1 dx
2m 2m
2
  
Therefore, e 0 Xˆ  t  Xˆ  0  0  
i t
 0 a  a 1
†

 2m 

eit 0 Xˆ  t  Xˆ  0  0 
2m
Q53. Two classical particles are distributed among N   2  sites on a ring. Each site can

accommodate only one particle. If two particles occupy two nearest neighbour sites, then
the energy of the system is increased by  . The average energy of the system at
temperature T is
2  e   2 N  e 
(a) (b)
 N  3  2e    N  3  2e  
 2  e  
(c) (d)
N  N  2   2e  
Ans. : (a)
Solution: Since two particle two nearest neighbour sites, which energy of system increased by ,
and remaining  N  3 particle has zero energy, then particle function is given
1
z  2e      N  3 e   .0   N  3  2e     
N 2

then E  KT 2  ln z 
T
KT 2       KT
2
  
 . 0  2e   .     .2e     2 
z  T  KT   z  KT 
2  e  
E 
 N  3  2e    

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Q54. Consider a particle confined by a potential V  x   k x , where k is a positive constant.

The spectrum En of the system, within the WKB approximation is proportional to

3/ 2 2/3 1/ 2 4/3
 1  1  1  1
(a)  n   (b)  n   (c)  n   (d)  n  
 2  2  2  2
Ans. : (b)
kx x0
Solution: V  x   
 kx x0
E/k E/k
 1
b
k
 2m  E  V  x dx   n     2 2m  E  kxdx  2 2m  E  1 x dx
0  2 0 0
E
1 1
E 2E 2m 2
 2 2mE  1  t dt  2mE  1  t dt  2 E 3 / 2 
0
k k 0
k 3
 1 3 k  1
  n     En3 / 2  n  
 2 4 2m  2
2/3
 3 k  1 
En    n  
 4 2m  2 
Q55. Consider the Hamiltonian
1 0 0 0 0 1 
   
H t     0 2 0    t  0 0 0 
 0 0 3  1 0 2 
   
The time dependent function   t    for t  0 and zero for t  0 . Find
2
 t  0  t  0 , where   t  0  is the normalised ground state of the system at
a time t  0 and   t  0  is the state of the system at t  0 .
1 1
(a)
2
1  cos  2 t   (b)
2
1  cos  t  
1 1
(c)
2
1  sin  2 t   (d)
2
1  sin  t  
Ans. : (a)
1 0 0 0 0 1 
Solution: H  t     0 2 0     t   0 0 0 
 
 0 0 3  1 0 2 
   

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 , t  0
Time dependent function   t   
0 , t  0
When t  0
1 0 1
 
H t     0 2 0 
1 0 1
 
Eigen value are 0 , 2 , 2 .
1
1  
For Eigen value zero, the ground state wave function is   t  0   0 .
2  
 1
1 0
1   i t 1    i 3 t
And   t  0   0 e  0 e
2   2  
0 1
2
2 1 i t  i 3 t
Now,   t  0    t  0   e  e 
4

1  3 t  
2 2
t 3 t   t
  cos  cos     sin  sin  
4         

1  t 3 t t 3   1  2 t  1  2 t 
 1  1  2  cos .cos  sin cos     2  2.cos   1  cos
4       4    2  

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