Physics 113A

Exam 1
May 5, 2009

June 6, 2009

For question 1, 2, 3, consider a particle of mass m that is one-dimensional

potential that goes to infinity at plus and minus infinity. The solutions to
the time-independent Schrödinger Equation are indicated by ψn (x) = |n >
for n = 1, 2, 3, · · ·. The energy of each state in terms of the ground state E1
is given by E1 n3 .

1) At time t = 0, the particle is equally likely to have an energy E2 and

E4 and only one of those two energies, write an expression for the time-
independent, normalized wavefunction in terms of ψn (x) = |n > and the
ground energy E1 . (2pts)

3) Given the state in question 1, do you expect probability of finding the

particle in a range of 0 < x < a to be time-dependent? Make sure to briefly
justify your answer. (3 pts)

4) Consider a two-dimensional vector space with basis |1 > and |2 >. Write
a matrix representation of the operator T̂ that converts |1 >→ −ı|2 > and
|2 >→ ı|1 >. In terms of the vectors |1 > and |2 >, what two normalized
vectors form the basis in which T̂ is diagonal? (6 pts)

5) Consider a particle of mass m moving in a harmonic oscillator poten-

tial with natural frequency ω. The (orthonormal) stationary states are in-
dicated by ψn (x) = |n >, with n = 0, 1, 2, · · ·. Consider the state ψ(x, 0) =
√1 (ψ0 (x) + ψ1 (x)). Compute < x >, and < p > as functions of times using
2

1
any methods you prefer. (6 pts)

6) Consider a particle which is equally likely to be anywhere in the range

from 0 < x < a. Now consider two differents potentials that are defined
using the same zero point.
1
Potential 1:V1 (x) = k(x − a/2)2
2
 

 ∞ and x≤0 

Potential 2:V2 (x) =  −V0 and 0 < x ≤ a
∞ and


x>a 

In which potential will the particle have the greater expectation value for its
energy? Make sure to justify your answer, but there is no need to compute
specific expressions for the expectation values. (5 pts)
2
h̄
7) Consider a particle in a potential given by V (x) = − ma δ(x), where a = 1
in the appropriate units of length. If at time t = 0, the particle is in the
state (again, where the number are in the appropriate units of length)
 


 q
0 if x < −1 


3
 
(1 + x) if −1 < x < 0

 

ψ(x, 0) = q2 ,
3



 2
(1 − x) if 0<x<1 



0 if x>1

 


2
h̄
find the probability of measuring an energy of E = − 2ma 2 , where a = 1 in

the appropriate units of length. (5 pts)

8) Consider a particle in the following potential:

 

∞ for x ≤ −a  
V (x) =  −V0 for −a < x ≤ a  .

∞ for x>a 

Find all expressions for all of the bound states’ energies and wavefunctions
as functions of position, (Hint: consider the symmetric and anti-symmetric
solutions separately.) (10 pts)