Solutions of Tutorial-IV PH20003 Physics-II

1. For Q.N. 1, see section 5-7 of chapter 5 from the Quantum Physics by Robert
Eisberg and Robert Resnick.

2. For Q.N. 2, see section 5-7 of chapter 5 from the Quantum Physics by Robert
Eisberg and Robert Resnick.

3. For simple rectangular potential well, where, V (x) = 0 for −a/2q< x < a/2 and
the potential is infinite outside the regime, the states are ψn = a2 cos( nπxa
) and
ℏ 2 nπ

2 2
h n 2
corresponding energy En = 2m a
= 8ma 2.
q
π 2 ℏ2
So the ground state is ψ1 = a2 cos( πx a
) and the ground state energy E1 = 2ma 2 =

h2
8ma2
.
Now we have a small cosine bump Vbump = V0 cos(πx/a) for −a/2 < x < a/2 where
V0 ≪ π 2 ℏ2 /2ma2 and | cos(πx/a)| ≤ 1 then Vbump ≪ π 2 ℏ2 /2ma2 . Due to this small
bump the new ground state energy is

E1new = E1 + hψ1 |Vbump |ψ1 i

Z a/2
π 2 ℏ2
= + ψ1∗ Vbump ψ1 dx
2ma2 −a/2
2 2
π ℏ 2V0 a/2
Z
= + cos3 (πx/a)dx
2ma2 a −a/2
π 2 ℏ2 V0 a/2
Z
= + [cos(3πx/a) + 3 cos(πx/a)] dx
2ma2 2a −a/2
π 2 ℏ2 8
= 2
+ V0
2ma 3π

This method is valid only if Vbump ≪ π 2 ℏ2 /2ma2

4. The transmission coefficient (eq(6-49) in Eisberg & Resnick)

 −1
2
sinh (kII a) 
T = 1 +  
4 VE0 1 − VE0

where s
2mV0 a2
 
1 E
kII = 1−
a ℏ2 V0

Now evaluate T for energy E = 2eV , the potential V0 = 4eV , thickness a = 10−10 m
and the mass m = me = 9.1 × 10−31 Kg.

5. The transmission coefficient signifies the probability of tunneling through a poten-

tial barrier. So it is similar to the previous problem.

6. See section 6-4 of Eisberg and Resnick. There is one step of potential, here the
potential has two steps, otherwise the calculation is almost same.

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Solutions of Tutorial-IV PH20003 Physics-II

2 2 2
7. For a particle in a box energy levels are En = π2mL
ℏ n
2 , where m is mass of the particle

and L is the size of the 1D-box. Now calculate En = En+1

∆En −En
En
.

8. The restoring force constant C = 103 joules/m2 and the massqof the molecule is
C
m = 4.1 × 10−26 kg. So angular frequency of vibration ω = m
and nth energy
level En = n + 12 ℏω. Now you can calculate (a) The zero-point energy of the

molecular vibrations is E0 = 21 ℏω. (b) The energy of transition between ground

state and first excited state ∆E = E1 − E0 = ℏω.

9. In quantum harmonic oscillator,

p̂2 1 1  
Ĥ = + mω 2 x̂2 = ℏω P̂ 2 + X̂ 2
2m 2 2

assuming mω √1 √ p̂ √1
p †

†


ℏ
x̂ = X̂ = 2
â + â and mωℏ
= P̂ = −i 2
â − â . Here x and
p are dimensionfull position and momentum of the oscillator where X and P are
the dimensionless form of them. Where â is lowering operator i.e., â |ni = n |n − 1i
and ↠is rising operator i.e., ↠|ni = (n + 1) |n + 1i.
For nth level,

â + â†
hn|X̂|ni = hn| √ |ni
2
hn|â|ni + hn|↠|ni
= √
2
n hn|n − 1i + (n + 1) hn|n + 1i
= √
2
nδn,n−1 + (n + 1)δn,n+1
= √
2
= 0 since hm|ni = δm,n
â − â†
hn|P̂ |ni = −i hn| √ |ni
2
hn|â|ni − hn|↠|ni
= −i √
2
n hn|n − 1i − (n + 1) hn|n + 1i
= −i √
2
nδn,n−1 − (n + 1)δn,n+1
= −i √
2
= 0 since hm|ni = δm,n

10. For the ’n’th state of linear harmonic oscillator, evaluate the uncertainty product
∆x.∆px .

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Solutions of Tutorial-IV PH20003 Physics-II

Ans.

hX̂ 2 i = hn|X̂ 2 |ni

1
= hn|(a† + a)(a† + a)|ni
2
1
√  √
= n|(a† + a){ n + 1|n + 1 + n|n − 1 }

2
1 p  √

= { (n + 1) n|(a† + a)|n + 1 + n n|(a† + a)|n − 1 }


2
1p
√  √  √
√  √ 
= [ (n + 1) n|( n + 2|n + 2 + n + 1|n ) + n n|( n|n + n − 1|n − 2 )]
2
1p p
= [ (n + 1)(n + 2) hn|n + 2i + (n + 1) hn|ni + n hn|ni + n(n − 1) hn|n − 2i]
2
1
=n+
2
and similarly,

hP̂ 2i = hn|P̂ 2|ni

1
= − hn|(a† − a)(a† − a)|ni
2
1
√  √
= − n|(a† − a){ n + 1|n + 1 − n|n − 1 }

2
1 p  √

= − { (n + 1) n|(a† − a)|n + 1 − n n|(a† − a)|n − 1 }


2
1p
√  √  √
√  √ 
= − [ (n + 1) n|( n + 2|n + 2 − n + 1|n ) − n n|( n|n − n − 1|n − 2 )]
2
1p p
= − [ (n + 1)(n + 2) hn|n + 2i − (n + 1) hn|ni − n hn|ni + n(n − 1) hn|n − 2i]
2
1
=n+
2
q q q
So ∆X = n + 21 , ∆P = n + 21 and ∆X∆P = n+ 21 . Now ∆x = n + 21 mω

ℏ
, ∆p =
q
n + 21 mωℏ and ∆x∆p = n + 21 ℏ

11. Consider a harmonic oscillator in the ground state.

(a) Where is the probability density maximum?

(b) What is the value of the maximum probability density?

1/4
Ans. The ground state wave function of LHO ψ0 (x) = mω πℏ
Exp[− mω
2ℏ
x2 ]. Now
do the calculation.

12. Show that the zero point energy of 12 ~ω of a linear harmonic oscillator is a man-

ifestation of the uncertainty principle.

p2
Ans. Total energy of LHO is E = 2m + 12 mω 2 x2 . Now the oscillator have lowest
energy if its position x and momemtum p have lowest value. Now we know the lowest
allowed value of a quantity is equal to the amount of uncertainty corresponding to

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Solutions of Tutorial-IV PH20003 Physics-II

the measurement of that quantity. Here lowest value of x is ∆x and lowest value of
p is ∆p. So now
(∆p)2 1
E(∆x, ∆p) = + mω 2 (∆x)2
2m 2
Again from uncertainty principle we know

∆x∆p = ℏ/2

, so
ℏ2 1
E(∆x) = 2
+ mω 2 (∆x)2
8m(∆x) 2
q
ℏ
. Now minimizing this energy you can see E(∆x) has a minima at ∆x = 2mω
and that minimum allowed energy is
r
ℏ 1
E(∆x = ) = ℏω
2mω 2

13. For the ’n’th state of linear harmonic oscillator, what is the range of x values
is allowed classically (at the classical turning point, oscillator has only potential
energy)? In its ground state, show that the probability of finding the particle
outside the classical limit is about 16%.
Ans The classical turning point xct for ‘n’th state can be found from energy of that
state E = (n + 1/2)ℏω. At turning pont the velocity of the oscillator is zero, so it
has only potential energy. Therefore,
1 1
E = mω 2 x2ct = (n + )ℏω
2 2
q
1/4
gives xct = ± (2n+1)ℏ
mω
. For ground state ψ0 (x) = mω πℏ
Exp[− mω
2ℏ
x2 ] the classical
q
ℏ
turning points are xct = ± mω . So probability of finding the oscillator within
these classical turning points is
Z √ ℏ
mω

√ ψ0∗ (x)ψ0 (x)dx = ErrorFunction(1) = 0.84

ℏ
− mω

So the probability of finding the oscillator beyond classical bound is 1 − 0.84 = 0.16
or 16%

14. A linear harmonic oscillator is in the 1st excited state.

(a) At what point is the probability density maximum?

(b) What is the value of the maxmimum probability density?

Ans Same as 11.

15. For a 1D harmonic oscillator, position and momentum operator can be written in
terms of creation and annihilation operators as
q q
~
x̂ = 2mω (â + ↠) p̂ = i m~ω
2
(↠− â)

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Solutions of Tutorial-IV PH20003 Physics-II

Using
the property of creation and annihilation operator, show that ∆x.∆p =
n + 12 ~
Ans Same as 10.

16. A linear harmonic oscillator moves in a potential V (x) = 12 kx2 + cx, where c is
constant. Find the energy eigenvalues.
p 2 p 2 2 2
Ans H̃ = 2m + 21 mω 2 x2 + cx = 2m + 12 mω 2 (x + mωc 2 )2 − 2mω
c
2 = HLHO − 2mω 2
c
2
So the modified energy eigenvalue here is En = n + 12 − 2mω c


2 ; redshift of spectra.

17. In simple harmonic oscillator problem, creation and annihilation operator can be
written in terms of position and momentum operator as

mω

21 1

12 mω

12 1

12
↠= 2~
x̂ − i 2m~ω
p̂ ↠= 2~
x̂ + i 2m~ω
p̂

Show that

(a) [â, ↠] = 1 (e) Ĥ↠|ni = (En + ~ω)↠|ni

(b) [â, Ĥ] = ~ωa √
(f) a |ni = n |n − 1i
(c) hn|↠â|ni ≥ 0
√
(d) Ĥâ |ni = (En − ~ω)â |ni (g) a† |ni = n + 1 |n + 1i
q
18. A simple harmonic oscillator state is given as ψ(x) = + 23 ψ2 (x)(where√1 ψ0 (x)
3
ψ0 (x) ans ψ2 (x) are the ground and second excited states) at t = 0. Find

(a) ψ(x, t 6= 0).

(b) Expectation value of energy as a function of time.
(c) momentum and position expectation values as function of time.

Ans. The time evolution of ‘n’th state |ψn (x, t)i = |ψn (x)i e−iEn t/ℏ or in algebraic
form |ψn (x, t)i = |ni e−iEn t/ℏ . q q
So, here ψ(x, t) = √13 ψ0 (x)e−iE0 t/ℏ + 23 ψ2 (x)e−iE2 t/ℏ = √13 |0i e−iωt/2 + 23 |2i e−i5ωt/2 .
Expectation value of energy –

hEi = hψ(x, t)|Ĥ|ψ(x, t)i

1
= ℏω hψ(x, t)|↠â + |ψ(x, t)i
2
11
= ℏω
6
Or, in another way
∂
hEi = hψ(x, t)|iℏ |ψ(x, t)i
 ∂t  
1  ω 2 5ω
= iℏ × −i + × −i
3 2 3 2
11
= ℏω
6

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Solutions of Tutorial-IV PH20003 Physics-II

You can derive

hx̂i = 0 = hp̂i
11 2
hx̂2 i = + cos(2ωt)
6 3
11 2
hp̂2 i = − cos(2ωt)
6 3
1
11
hEi = hĤi = ℏω hp̂2 i + hx̂2 i = ℏω
2 6
19. A 3D harmonic oscillator have potential energy as V = 12 mω 2 x2 +2mω 2 y 2 +4mω 2z 2 .
Calculate the ground state energy.
Ans. For 1D HO we have En = n + 21 ℏω for the potential V (x) = 12 mω 2 x2 . Here

the potential
1 1 1 1 √
V = mω 2 x2 + 2mω 2 y 2 + 4mω 2 z 2 = mω 2 x2 + m(2ω)2 y 2 + m(2 2ω)2z 2
2 2 2 2
So the energy eigen value is
     
1 1 1
Enx ,ny ,nz = nx + ℏωx + ny + ℏωy + nz + ℏωz
2 2 2
√
where the angular freq along three directions are ωx = ω, ωy = 2ω and ωz = 2 2ω.
So
√ 3 √
 
Enx ,ny ,nz = nx + 2ny + 2 2nz + + 2 ℏω
2
√

The ground state (nx = ny = nz = 0) energy is then E0,0,0 = 23 + 2 ℏω
  23  
20. Prove that the radial probability density (ρ) for hydrogen atom is ψ(r) = √1 1 r
exp − a0
π a0
has a maximum at r = a0 , where a0 is the Bohr radius of hydrogen atom.
  32  
1 1 r
21. For the state ψ(r) = π a0 exp − a0 , calculate hri and show that for the same
√

state of hydrogen atom, expectation value of potential energy hV i + expectation

e2
value of kinetic energy hEk i equals to − 2a 0
, where a0 → Bohr radius and e →
charge of electron.

22. Write the radial part of Schrödinger equation for H atom neglecting the terms 1r
and r12 . Find the solution for bound states in terms of energy eigenvalue and hence
find the radial probability density.

23. Consider the free motion of a particle of mass M constrained to a circle of radius r.
Find the energy eigenvalue and eigenfunctions.
√ √
24. A states is given as ψ(r) = N(2ψ(1,0,0) + ψ(2,1,0) + 2ψ(2,1,1) + 3ψ(2,1,−1) ).

(a) Normalize the state

(b) Find

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Solutions of Tutorial-IV PH20003 Physics-II

i. hHi ii. hL̂2 i iii. hL̂z i

(c) Find the probability of finding the system with l = 1, m = 1.

25. Prove that the radial probability densities for states ψ(2,1,0) and ψ(3,2,0) of H atom
take minimum value at r = 4a0 and r = 9a0 . a0 → Bohr radius

26. Show that the commutator of two Hermitian operators is anti-Hermitian.

* NOTE: Commutator is defined as [Â, B̂] = ÂB̂ − B̂ Â

27. For a given state |ψi, if there exists an operator  such that  |ψi = a |ψi, where
a is the corresponding eigenvalue, Prove
1
Â−1 |ψi = |ψi
a

Ans. We have  |ψi = a |ψi. Now multiply both side of this eqn with Aˆ−1 ,
Aˆ−1 Â |ψi = aAˆ−1 |ψi. As the operator in invertible, Aˆ−1 Â = 1, so |ψi = aAˆ−1 |ψi ⇒
a−1 |ψi = Aˆ−1 |ψi

28. Consider a system with states defined in terms of a set of three vectors: |ψ1 i, |ψ2 i,
and |ψ3 i as √ √
3 2 2
|φi = |ψ1 i + |ψ2 i + ψ3
2 3 3
(a) Verify that |φi is normalised.
(b) Calculate the probability of finding the system in any one of the states |ψ1 i,|ψ2 i,|ψ3 i.
(c) Verify that the total probability is equal to one.

29. Consider the wave functions

2 +y 2 )
ψ(x, y) = sin 2x cos 5x φ(x, y) = e−2(x ξ(x, y) = e−i(x+y)

(a) Verify if any of the wave functions is an eigenfunction of  = ∂/∂x + ∂/∂y.

(b) Find out if any of the wave functions is an eigenfuction of B̂ = ∂ 2 /∂x2 +
∂ 2 /∂y 2 + 1.
(c) Calculate the actions of ÂB̂ and B̂ Â on each of the wave functions and infer
[Â, B̂]

30. Consider a one-dimensional particle moving along the x-axis with its Hamiltonian
being given as Ĥ = −ǫd2 /dx2 + 16ǫx̂, where ǫ is a real constant with dimension of
energy.
2
(a) Is ψ(x) = A−2x an eigenfunction of Ĥ? If yes, find the energy eigenvalue. *
A being the normalization constant to be found.
(b) Calculate the probability of finding the particle anywhere along the negative
x-axis.

For more problems see “Quantum Mechanics” by Zettili.