SM358 Exam 2009 Answers to Part 1 v4

Chris B Clarke

3/10/12

QUESTION 1:
A system has a set of non-degenerate energy eigenvalues E 1 , E2 , E3 , . . ..
At time t = 0, the wave function describing the state of the system is :
(x ,0) = C ( 3 1( x) 4 3 ( x ) )
where C is a constant and 1 (x) and 3 (x) are energy eigenfunctions with eigenvalues E1
and E3 respectively.
(a) Use the coefficient rule to find the value of |C| 2 and hence find the probabilities p1 , p2
and p3 of getting the eigenvalues E1 , E2 and E3 when the energy of the system is
measured in the state (x, 0).
Multiplying the above function out, we obtain:

( x , t) = 3 C 1 ( x ) 4 C 3 ( x )

For normalization, we use the co-efficient rule:

3 C + 4 C = 1

9 C + 16 C = 1
Thus:
2

25 C = 1

C 2 = 1

so

25

1
9
=
25 25

So, the probability p1 is:

p 1 = 3 C 1 ( x ) = 3 C = 9

and the probability p3 is:

p 2 = 4 C 1 (x ) = 4 C = 16

Now,

p 1 + p2 =

1
16
=
25 25

9
16
25
+
=
=1
25 25
25

As the sum of all probabilities must be one, we conclude that the probability p 2 = 0. Also,
there is no eigenfunction for p 2 in the wave function.
(b) If the result of the measurement happens to be E 1 , what can be said about the result
of a second energy measurement taken immediately after the first? Explain your
reasoning in a sentence or two.
The second measurement would be the same as E 1. The first measurement causes the
state to collapse into the eigenstate associated with the measured eigenvalue for the
observable being measured. Immediately after the measurement the state starts to evolve
according to SE. A second measurement immediately after the first catches the system still
in the eigenstate so you get the same associated eigenvalue again.

QUESTION 2:
(a) State Borns rule for a wave function (x, t) describing the state of a particle in one
dimension.
Born's rule states that the probability of finding a particle at time t in a small interval x,
centred on x is:
2

Probability = ( x , t) x
(b) A particle in a one-dimensional infinite square well of width L is described by the
normalized wave function :
(x , 0) =

2
3 x
sin
L
L
0

( )

for 0 x L
elsewhere

What is the probability at time t = 0 of finding the particle to be somewhere between x =

L/3 and x = 2L/3? You may use the integral :
1

n sin 2 (u) du = 2 ( n m )
where m and n are integers.

The probability is:

2L /3

L/3

( )

Let u =

dx =

2
L

2L/ 3

L/ 3

sin2

( 3 L x ) dx

3 x
du 3
L
then
=
and dx =
du
L
dx
L
3

Also: at x = 2 L /3
Probability =

2
3 x
sin
L
L

u = 2 and at x = L/3 u =

2 L

L 3

2 L 1

( 2 1)
L 3 2
=

sin 2 u du

using the given integral

2 L 1
1
=
L 3 2
3

QUESTION 3:
A particle of mass m is in a one-dimensional infinite square well of width L. At time t = 0,
the state of the particle is described by the initial wave packet :
( x , 0) =

1
( 1 ( x ) + 2 (x ) )
2

where 1 (x) and 2 (x) are energy eigenfunctions with eigenvalues E 1 and E2 = 4E1 .
(a) Write down a general expression for the wave function (x, t) at any subsequent time
t, expressing your answer in terms of 1 (x), 2 (x) and E1 . Hence find an expression for
the wave function (x, t0 ) at the time :
h
t0 =
E1

1
( x , t) =
1 e
2

The expression is:

i E1 t

1
+
2 e
2

i 4 E 1t

We substitute the given value of t0:

1
( x , t 0) =
(x) e
2 1

i E1 t 0
h

1
+
( x) e
2 2

i 4 E1 t 0

1
=
( x) e
2 1

i E 1 h
E1
h

1
+
(x ) e
2 1

4 i E 1 h
E1
h

1
1
1 ( x ) ei +
2 ( x ) e4 i
2
2

Now,

ei = cos () + i sin () = 1

Thus

(x , t 0 ) =

and

e4 i = cos(4 ) + i sin(4 ) = 1

1
1
1
1 (x ) +
2( x) =
( ( x) 1 ( x) )
2
2
2 2

(b) Given that 1 (x) and 2 (x) are orthonormal functions, show that (x, t0 ) is orthogonal
to (x, 0).

They will be orthogonal if:

( x , t 0) ( x , 0) dx = 0

1
1
1
2 ( 2 (x ) 1 (x )) 2 ( 1 ( x ) + 2 ( x)) dx = 2 ( 2 ( x) 1 ( x )) ( 1 ( x) + 2 ( x )) dx

1
2

2 ( x) 1 ( x) + 2 ( x ) 2 ( x) 1 (x ) 1 ( x ) 1 ( x ) 2 ( x) dx
=

1
[ 0+ 11 0 ]=0
2

due to orthonormality

hence we have shown that the two functions are orthogonal to each other.

QUESTION 4:
A beam of particles, each of mass m and energy E, travels in the positive x-direction and
is incident on a finite square potential energy barrier of height V 0 < E and width L. The
energy eigenfunction describing this beam takes the form :

A ei k x + B ei k
( x) = C ei k x + De i k x
F ei k x
1

for x 0
for 0 x L
for x L

where k1 and k2 are appropriate wave numbers and A, B, C, D and F are constants
with A 0.
(a) If the energy of the beam is such that there is a transmission resonance (i.e. perfect
transmission), what can be said about the values of B and |F |? Explain your reasoning.
Transmission resonance occurs when a whole number of wavelengths occupy the full path
2L of a wave crossing the width of a well and are reflected back again, so T = 1 & R = 0.
j ref B2
R=
=
j inc A2

therefore

j trans F 2
T=
=
2
j inc
A

B= 0

therefore

F=A

(b) For a transmission resonance in the special case where k 2 = k1 /2, use continuity
boundary conditions at x = 0 to express the coefficients C and D in terms of A.
The continuity of (x) and (x)/x implies that, at x = 0:
A+B=C + D
i k1 0

ik1 Ae
so

ik1Be

i k1 A i k 1 B = i

Hence,

A=C + D

eqn 1 i k 1 :

ik 10

k
k
i 0
i 0
k1
k1
2
= i C e i De 2
2
2

k1
k
Ci 1D
2
2
- eqn 1. and

i k1 A = i k 1 C i k 1 D

eqn 3 + eqn 2:

2i k 1 A =

but B = 0

i k1 A = i

k1
k
C i 1D
2
2

- eqn 3

3i
i
k 1C k 1 D
2
2
3
1
C D
2
2

divide through by i k 1 :

2A =

eqn 1 divide by 2:

A C
D
= +
2
2
2

- eqn 4
- eqn 5

- eqn 2

QUESTION 4b cotd:
5A C
3
= + C
2
2
2

eqn 5 + eqn 4:

C=

A
4

Substituting the value of C into equation 1 we obtain:

A=

A
+D
4

To check:

D =a

A=C + D=

5A
A
=
4
4

5A
A 4A
=
=A
4
4
4

QUESTION 5:
(a) Starting from the definition

( A ) 2 = A2 A

of the square of the uncertainty of an observable A, show that A = 0 in any state that is
described by a normalized eigenvector n of A with eigenvalue an.
From the sandwich integral, we have:

A = ( x , t) A ( x , t) dx = n A n in dirac notation

A2 =

( x , t) A 2 (x , t) dx = n A2 n

n n = 1

Now, n is normalised, so
Thus:

A=A

in dirac notation

and

A2 = A2

2
Therefore: ( A ) = A2 A = A2 A2 = 0

(b) With Lx , Ly and Lz denoting components of orbital angular momentum, use the
generalized uncertainty principle to obtain an inequality for the uncertainty product L y Lz
Hence show that L x = 0 in any state with a definite value of Lz .
From the formula sheet, the generalized uncertainty principle is:
Ly Lz

1
1
L y , L z ] L y L z L z L y
[

2
2

Different components of angular momentum do not commute with each other.

So [ L y , L z ] = i h L x and the pair of L y and L y cannot have non zero values in the
same state;
h
L y L z L x
2
Hence, if Lz has a definite value then the expectation value of Lx must be zero.

QUESTION 6:
By allowing the commutator to act on an arbitrary function, or otherwise, show that :
V

[ p x , V ( x ) ] = i h x
Hence use the generalized Ehrenfest theorem to derive an expression for d p x /d t for a
particle of mass m that is described by the Hamiltonian operator :
2
p
1
H = x + C x2
2m 2
where C is a constant.
Let the commutator act on an arbitrary function f(x):
d
P x ( V (x) f (x ) ) = i h ( V f ( x) )
dx
So,

[ P x , V x ] = i h dx ( V
=i h

d
V x ( P x f ( x) ) = V i h
f ( x)
dx

[(
[(

d
f ( x)) V i h
f ( x)
dx

d
d
( V f ( x ) ) + V i h
f ( x)
dx
dx

d V
= i h
dx

)]

)]

as the second term commutes

Now, in this context, the Generalized Ehrenfest theorem is:

d px
dt

1
=
ih

[ P x , H ]

Therefore,
d px
1
px )
= ( p x H H
dt
ih
1
=
i h

) (( )

px

( )

px
+ p x V ( x)
2m
1
=
ih

Hence

p x , V x ]

d px
d V
=
dt
dx

px
p V ( x ) p x
2m x

QUESTION 7:
This question refers to the functions
f (x 1 , x 2 )= A ( x 1 ) A ( x 2)
g ( x1 , x 2)=

1
( A ( x 1 ) B ( x 2) + B (x 1) A (x 2 ))
2

h (x 1 , x 2 )=

1
( A( x 1) B ( x 2) B ( x 1 ) A ( x 2))
2

where A and B are different single-particle energy eigenfunctions and x 1 and x2 label
different particles. For each of the systems given in (a) (c) below, specify which one or
more of the functions f , g and h could represent the spatial wave function of the system.
Explain your reasoning in each case.
(a) Two identical non-interacting fermions in the combined spin state :
S = 0, M s = 0 =

1
( )
2

The spin state here is anti-symmetric, and we need to have an anti-symmetric total wave
function for two fermions. Therefore, choose g (x1, x2).
(b) Two identical non-interacting fermions in the combined spin state :
S = 1, M s = 1 =

1
( + )
2

The spin state here is symmetric, and we need to have an anti-symmetric total wave
function for two fermions. Therefore, choose h (x1, x2).
(c) Two identical non-interacting spinless bosons:
We need a symmetric total wave function, so choose g (x 1, x2).

QUESTION 8:
In a Bohm-type experiment, a source emits pairs of photons in an entangled polarization
state. Observer A detects the polarization of one photon relative to an axis at angle A to
the z-axis while Observer B detects the polarization of the other photon relative to an
axis at angle B to the z-axis. There are two choices for A (1 and 2 ) and two choices for
B (1 and 2 ). For particular choices of these angles, quantum mechanics predicts that
C ( 1 1) = C ( 1 2) = C ( 2 1) =

1
2

C ( 2 2) =

1
2

where C(A B ) is the correlation function that appears in the CHSH inequality (i.e. the
probability that Observers A and B agree minus the probability that they disagree).
Use the CHSH inequality (found in the Equations booklet) to explain the implications of
these results for hidden-variable theories.
The CHSH inequality states that: 2
where:

= C ( 1 2) + C ( 1 2 ' ) + C (1 ' 2 ) C ( 1 ' 2 ' )

For the results given:

( 12 ) + ( 12 ) + ( 12 ) 12

1
1
1
1
4
4

=
=
2 2 2 2
2 2

Rationalise the denominator:

Hence, for the given angles:

4 2
4 2

=
= 2 2
2
2 2

= 2 2

Now, the CHSH inequality was proven on the assumption that hidden local variables
existed. However, we have shown here that there is a counter example to this, as the
measured value for exceeds the CHSH limit.
We conclude that any hidden local variable theory cannot hold.

QUESTION 9:
A particle has the Hamiltonian operator
h2 d 2
H =
+ V ( x)
2 m d x2
with

1
C bx
V ( x) = 2
1
C x2
2

for b x b
elsewhere

where C > 0 is a constant and b > 0 is a small length.

First-order perturbation theory is used to estimate the energy levels of this system, based
on the unperturbed simple-harmonic Hamiltonian operator :

h2 d 2
1
H (0) =
+ C x2
2
2m d x
2

for all x

which has eigenfunctions n (x) and eigenvalues En = (n + ) 0 for n = 0, 1, 2, . . ..

Write down the first-order approximation for the ground-state energy of the system
described by the full Hamiltonian H . Your answer should include an integral that
involves 0 (x), but you need not further specify this function or attempt to evaluate the
integral.
The first order approximation for the ground state energy eigenvalue will be:
(0 )
(0 )

E 0 E(0)
0 + 0 H 0

To obtain the correction we calculate:

1
1
1
C bx C x 2 = C ( b x x 2 )
2
2
2
Thus:

Substituting, we obtain:
E(0)
0

1
2
H = 2 C ( b x x )
0

b x b
elsewhere

b
1
h 0 + b (00 ) ( x ) H(0) (0)
0 ( x) dx
2

E0

b
1
1
(0)
2
(0)
h 0 + b 0 ( x ) C ( b x x ) 0 ( x) dx
2
2

E (00 )

1
1
h 0 + C
2
2

(0)

(00 ) ( x ) ( b x x 2 ) (0)
0 (x ) dx

QUESTION 10:
Positronium is a bound state of an electron and its antiparticle, the positron. Electrons and
positrons have the same mass and opposite charges. To the accuracy required here, you
may assume that the reduced mass of a hydrogen atom is equal to the mass of an
electron.
(a) Calculate the scaled Bohr radius (in metres) and the scaled Rydberg energy (in
electronvolts) of positronium.
mass of hydrogen atom H = me = 9.11 x 10-31 kg

Z=1
The reduced mass is:
=

31
me me
m
9.11 10
= e=
= 4.55 1031 kg
me + me
2
2

The scaled Bohr radius is:

scaled

a0

1 H
1 9.11 1031
11
11
a
=
5.29 10 = 1.06 10
m
Z 0 1 4.55 1031

The scaled Rydberg energy is:

31
2
2 4.55 10
E scaled
=
Z
E
=
1

13.6 = 6.79 eV
R
H R
31
9.11 10

(b) What is the frequency of electromagnetic radiation emitted when positronium makes a
radiative transition from its n = 2 energy level to its n = 1 energy level?
First, we need the energy of the emitted photon:
scaled

E photon =

ER
2
2

scaled

ER
2
1

3
6.79 = 5.09 eV
4

1 1
3
= E scaled
+
= E scaled

R
R
4 1
4

Now, we can find it's frequency:

E photon = h f

so

f =

5.09
= 7.68 1030 Hz
34
6.63 10

QUESTION 11:
A particular molecular orbital obtained by applying the method of linear combination of
atomic orbitals (LCAO) to a diatomic molecule is labelled as 2 u.
(a) Explain what is meant in this context by the symbol , the subscript u and the factor 2.
is the sigma orbital in stereoscopic notation. U means 'ungerade' or odd, so the orbit is
anti-symmetrical. Factor 2 refers to the molecular orbital energy level.
(b) The energy-ordering of molecular orbitals in the diatomic carbon molecule C 2 is
1g < 1u < 2g < 2u < 1u < 3g < 1g < 3u < . . .
where 1g , 2g , 1u and 3g are bonding orbitals and 1u , 2u , 1g and 3u are
antibonding orbitals. Given that a carbon atom has atomic number 6, write down the
ground-state electronic configuration of a C 2 molecule and deduce its formal bond order.
Z = 6 so we have 12 electrons. So the ground state configuration is:
1g2 < 1u2 < 2g2 < 2u2 < 1u4
The 1st, middle and last are the bonding orbitals. Hence, the formal bond order is:
FBO =

(2 + 2 + 4) (2 + 2) 8 4
4
=
= =2
2
2
2

QUESTION 12
A perfect infinite crystal has electron energy eigenfunctions of the form
k (r )= Ak ei k r u k (r ) ,
where Ak is a normalization constant and k is the wave vector.
(a) Explain why the vector k must have real-valued components.
k is the wave vector pointing in the direction of the electron wave. Every eigenfunction
obeys:
ikR
( r + R) = e
( r )
However, if k was complex then the above becomes:
( r + R ) = e i i k R ( r ) = ek R (r )
and the eigenfunction would diverge. So k must be real.
(b) What spatial periodicity condition is met by the function u k (r)? Name any theorem that
you use.

i k ( r + L e x )

= ei k r

Using Bloch's theorem, we have:

Thus k can be: 0,

so

ei K L = 1
x

2
4
,
,
L
L

Use your answers to parts (a) and (b) to deduce the spatial periodicity properties of the
electron probability density in the state k (r).
From above we know that k must be real and either zero, or a multiple of (n /2) where n
is positive and even.
The probability density is:

Ak e i k r u k ( r ) 2 = A 2 u k (r )

Hence, the number of electrons will depend on the value of the normalization constant and
the function uk (r).

___________________________________

Exam 2009 Q13

(a) The time-dependent SE inside the potential well is as follows:( )
( )
is the time-dependent SE inside the well
(

( )

( )

Also inside the well, inserting (2) into (1)

( )(

) ( )
( )

( )

( )

(3) is the TISE inside the well

(b)
( )

Setting

) inside the well into the TISE (3) we get:-

))

These are equal for all x provided:(

( )

( )

So provided E is related to k according to (4) then ( ) is an eigenfunction of (3)

At the boundaries (x=0 and x = L) to the well ( ) should be continuous i.e.

and

So

This is only satisfied if kL is an integer multiple of i.e.

i.e. k has a

discrete set of values. We ignore n = 0 since this just gives a trivial all zero eigenfunction. The ground
state is n = 1.
(c)
( ) ( )

Setting kx = u, x = u/k, dx = du/k and the bounds are [0, kL]

And substituting k = n/L
( )

( )

So (x) is normalised.
(d)
(

where

The time exponents cancel out so the expectation value is independent of time. The 1(x,t) is zero
outside the well, so the integral can be limited to the interval [0,L].

Substituting u=x/L, x=Lu/, dx=Ldu/, and bounds [0,]:

( )( )

( )

Exam 2009 Q14

(a)
This question is about a harmonic oscillator, energy eigenstates n(x), corresponding eigenvalues
En = (n+1/2)0.
Given :

Show <x> = 0 in the energy eigenstates

| |

)|

| |

| |

Using the given results in the question

| |

The special case n=0 also gives zero since n=0 is the ground state and the lowering operator applied
to the ground state is zero.
(b)

| |

)(

)|

( ) |

The terms with raising/lowering operators squared will evaluate to zero after we end up with
orthogonal eigenstates on the right. The commutater can be used to replace the lower followed by
the raiser by one plus the operators reversed.

| |

The eigenstates are normalised and using the given result of applying lowering followed by raising
operator.

Given
(

| |

| |

From Equation Booklet and a) and b), where the uncertainty has been evaluated in any harmonic
eigenstate.
(

)
(

) (

(c)
Given
(

( )

( ))

Find <x> in the given state

| |

)| |

From a) above the 1st and 4th term are zero

Only the raising operator in the first braket and the lowering operator in the second braket remain,
use the orthogonal property of n(x)

From Book 1 page 143

| |

)|

)|

)(

(
(

)|

( ) )|

)|

Multiplying the uncertainty of px and x

Since n=0 gives the smallest uncertainty of /2. This IS consistent with Heisenbergs Uncertainty
Principle.
2009 Q14 (b) last sentence says given (

I think this is wrong (see above) and when multiplied by x is NOT consistent with Heisenbergs
Uncertainty Principle!

Exam 2009 Q15

(a)

][ ]

[ ]

] [ ]

][ ]

][ ]

] [ ]

Thus the two eigenvectors are orthonormal.

(b)
Given in the z basis

[ ]

Express |A>initial in the n basis:

Using the fact that the above basis is orthonormal

][ ]

Putting it all together, at t=0

][ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

At t = /

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

(c)
Using overlap projection of state onto z basis to find the probabilities of measuring spin-up (pu) and
spin-down (pd) at times t = 0 and t = /.
From b) we have the eigenvectors of Sz are:

[ ]

[ ]

At t = 0

|[

] [ ]|

So we are certain to measure spin-up in the z direction at t = 0. So pd must be zero.

At t = /

|[

][

|[

][

]|

]|

The sum of the probabilities is 1, so looking good

Exam 2009 Q17

On to Book 3
a)
One of those Essential Skills and a quick look at the Equation Booklet for Book 2 to get Lz:

( ) (

(
[

] (

)
(

)
)

The first term in L2 depends only on and the second term differentiates only wrt . The function f()
is a product of a term that depends only on and a term that only depends on .
Using the given identity

( )

]
]

(b)
(

The above function is an eigenfunction of hydrogen with E=-ER/9

So from 32=9 and results of a) n=3, l=2, m=2
Find A so that it is normalised, the integral over all space is 1: | |
The complex exponents in cancel out after one is conjugated.
| |

Setting
| |

| |

( )

and using the given integrals

(

[ ]
| |

| |
| |

We choose A positive and real (a convention), but it could be multiplied by ei, where is an
arbitrary real constant and the eigenfunction will still be normalised. So the positive real value of A is
not unique.
(c)
Calculate the following expectation in the state used in (b):

( )

We use the spherical form of the sandwich integral:

( ) (

( )

Collecting terms in the same coordinate together and splitting the multiple integral into a product of
integrals of their respective coordinate. Like (b) the complex exponentials in cancel out and using
the given definite integrals:

Setting

( )

| |

| |

[ ]

in the definite integral for r

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |