Phys 4141 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Syllabus instructor: Prof. Jonathan P.

P. Dowling (his) office hour: T&Th 12:00-1:00PM Textbook: Griffths (2nd ed), Feagin (1st Ed) Already Homework 1 Any question -> to Jon at next week

What is Quantum? cf) classical Small size (microscopic scale) How small? Usually comparable size of the Atom Cf) size of H-atom: Bohrs radius

Why not classical mechanics? Experimental data require another type of mechanics. => Quantum Mechanics

1.1 Schr dinger Equation A system which consists of a particle with mass potential ( ) (for simplicity 1-D) Classical Mechanics: position Newtons 2nd law: : velocity : acceleration : force : Kinetic energy ( ) in

Quantum Mechanics : wave function Schrodinger equation: : complex number ( )

( : Plancks constant)
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1.2 Statistical Interpretation Borns statistical interpretation | ( between [ | ( )| ( )] )| = probability of finding the particle and , at time ( ) ( ) with complex conjugate

Probability gives indeterminacy.

Question: When we measure the particles position, we got the result at . Where is the particle just before the measurement? 1. the realist position (Einstein, dEspagnat): the particle was at measured position. 2. the orthodox position (Copenhagen interpretation): particle wasnt really anywhere. 3. the agnostic position : refuse to answer

Experiment will decide which is right position.

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Jordans comment: observation not only disturb what is to be measured, they produce it We compel (the particle) to assume a definite position. Copenhagen interpretation ( the most widely accepted) by Bells inequality (experimentable)

Question) What if I made a second (same) measurement, immediately after the first? Same result. (interpreted as the collapse of wavefunction)

1.3 Probability 1.3.1 Discrete variables ()

( )

with

()

Average value of () ()

( )

() ()

() ()

Deviation from the average: ( Variance: ) ( )

()

( )

( ) ( ) : the measure of the

Standard deviation : spread about

( ) ( Or

( )

()

( ) ()

()

()

1.3.2 continuous variables Probability ( ) vs. probability density ( ( ))

( )

( )

: normalization ( ) ( )
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( ) ( ) ( )

Problem 1-3) ( ) Normalization : [ ] ( )

)
( )

( )
( )

2nd moment: )
( ) ( ) (

(
(

( ) )
) (

(
) ( )

Standard deviation :

1.4 normalization | ( )|

Presence of particles anywhere and anytime: normalizable ( square-integrable) Does ( ) stay normalized as time goes on if it is normalized at ? Or, | ( )| )| ( & | ( | ( )| )| [ ( ( )] )| | ( ) )|

| (

since ( ) will be vanished as exists somewhere)

. (or, particle

partial integration

1.5 Momentum | ( )|

How to connect this average with experimental data? : the average of measurements performed on particles all in the state ( by the collapse of wavefunction). Repeated measurements on same ensemble

the expectation value is the average of repeated measurement on an ensemble of identically prepared system

no velocity concept like in classical Mechanics since is not defined in in orthodox position.

Assume now that

, then :
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time-evolution : [ ) (

| | )]

| |

momentum: Kinetic energy : Angular momentum

(order of operator)

) , what is

Example) For classical quantity corresponding operator? ( Not clear. ) (

Ehrenfests theorem : expectation value obeys the classical laws. ( ( (( ( ) ) )) )

1.6 The Uncertainty principle Where is the wave? Sinusoidal wave : wavelength is well-defined, but not position. Bump (packet): position is well-defined, but not

de Broglie formula,

since (

Heisenbergs uncertainty principle

precise measurements on each position and momentum measurement, not simultaneous.