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Compute \(|\Psi|^{2}\) for \(\Psi=\psi \sin \omega t,\) where \(\psi\) is time independent and \(\omega\) is a real constant. Is this a wave function for a stationary state? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
\(|\Psi|^2 = \psi^2 \sin^2 \omega t\). It is not stationary due to time dependence.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Problem

We are given a function \(\Psi = \psi \sin \omega t\), where \(\psi\) is time independent and \(\omega\) is a real constant. We need to compute \(|\Psi|^2\) and determine if this represents a wave function of a stationary state.
02

Express the Magnitude

To find \(|\Psi|^2\), we need to understand that \(|\Psi|\) denotes the magnitude of \(\Psi\). Since \(\Psi\) is a product of a real time-independent function \(\psi\) and \(\sin \omega t\), which is also real, the magnitude is a straightforward multiplication of the two values.
03

Calculate \(|\Psi|^2\)

Calculate the squared magnitude:\[ |\Psi|^2 = |\psi \sin \omega t|^2 = (\psi \sin \omega t) \cdot (\psi \sin \omega t) = \psi^2 \sin^2 \omega t \]This shows that \(|\Psi|^2 = \psi^2 \sin^2 \omega t\).
04

Analyze the Stationarity

For a wave function to be stationary, \(|\Psi|^2\) must be time-independent. However, since \(\sin^2 \omega t\) is a function of time, \(|\Psi|^2\) is clearly not constant over time. Hence, the wave function \(\Psi = \psi \sin \omega t\) is not that of a stationary state.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Stationary States
Stationary states are a fascinating concept in quantum mechanics. These states refer to wave functions whose probability density, represented by \(|\Psi|^2\), does not change over time. In simpler terms, if you have a stationary wave function, the likelihood of finding a particle in a specific region remains constant. This leads to stability in the observed properties of a quantum system.

When we talk about stationary states, the wave function \(\Psi(x, t)\) typically takes the form of a product of a spatial part \(\psi(x)\) and a time-dependent phase factor \(e^{-i\omega t}\). Notably, the magnitude squared \(|\Psi|^2\) involves just the spatial function \(\psi(x)\), because the time-dependent factors cancel out during this calculation.

In the problem, however, the presence of the \(\sin \omega t\) term in the wave function suggests a time-dependent nature for \(|\Psi|^2\). Since it oscillates with time, it indicates the wave function is not stationary. Therefore, analyzing the time dependence is key in determining the nature of a state.
Wave Function Properties
Wave functions are central to understanding quantum mechanics. They describe the quantum state of a system and contain all the information about a system's behavior. Here are some critical properties:
  • Normalization: Wave functions must be normalized, meaning the total probability over all space must equal one. Mathematically, this requirement is expressed as \(\int |\Psi(x)|^2 dx = 1\).
  • Continuity: A valid wave function should be continuous and smooth. This ensures that probabilities remain well-defined across all points.
  • Linearity: Wave functions can be added together to form new solutions. This property is crucial for understanding phenomena such as interference and superposition.
In this context, the wave function \(\Psi = \psi \sin \omega t\) suggests a physical scenario where \(\psi\) represents the spatial distribution of the particle, while \(\sin \omega t\) introduces periodic time variation. The problem highlights that \(|\Psi|^2 = \psi^2 \sin^2 \omega t\) indicates non-stationarity, showing us how wave function properties influence quantum states.
Time-Dependent Functions
Time-dependent functions are critical in describing how physical systems evolve with time in quantum mechanics. Time-dependence typically appears in the form of oscillations or exponential decay, often represented through sine, cosine, or complex exponential functions.

In many quantum problems, the time part of a wave function is extracted separately for clarity. For example, a common form includes a phase factor such as \(e^{-i \omega t}\), where \(\omega\) is the angular frequency. This form provides a direct link to the energy of the state via the relation to Planck's constant.

In our exercise, the function \(\Psi = \psi \sin \omega t\) shows how time-dependent factors explicitly determine a state's non-stationary nature. Here, \(\sin \omega t\) introduces periodic time fluctuations, significantly impacting \(|\Psi|^2\) and ensuring it changes over time. Understanding these time-dependent behaviors is pivotal for interpreting dynamical processes in quantum systems.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A fellow student proposes that a possible wave function for a free particle with mass \(m\) (one for which the potential-energy function \(U(x)\) is zero) is $$\psi(x)=\left\\{\begin{array}{ll}{e^{+\kappa x},} & {x<0} \\ {e^{-\kappa x},} & {x \geq 0}\end{array}\right.$$ where \(\kappa\) is a positive constant. (a) Graph this proposed wave function. (b) Show that the proposed wave function satisfies the Schrodinger equation for \(x < 0\) if the energy is \(E=-\hbar^{2} \kappa^{2} / 2 m-\) that is, if the energy of the particle is negative. (c) Show that the proposed wave function also satisfies the Schrodinger equation for \(x \geq 0\) with the same energy as in part (b). (d) Explain why the proposed wave function is nonetheless not an acceptable solution of the Schrodinger equation for a free particle. (Hint: What is the behavior of the function at \(x=0 ?\) ) It is in fact impossible for a free particle (one for which \(U(x)=0 )\) to have an energy less than zero.

An electron is in a box of width \(3.0 \times 10^{-10} \mathrm{m} .\) What are the de Broglie wavelength and the magnitude of the momentum of the electron if it is in (a) the \(n=1\) level; (b) the \(n=2\) level; (c) the \(n=3\) level? In each case how does the wavelength compare to the width of the box?

(a) An electron with initial kinetic energy 32 eV encounters a square barrier with height 41 \(\mathrm{eV}\) and width 0.25 \(\mathrm{nm}\) . What is the probability that the electron will tunnel through the barrier? (b) A proton with the same kinetic energy encounters the same barrier. What is the probability that the proton will tunnel through the barrier?

A particle is described by a wave function \(\psi(x)=A e^{-\alpha x^{2}}\) where \(A\) and \(\alpha\) are real, positive constants. If the value of \(\alpha\) is increased, what effect does this have on (a) the particle's uncertainty in position and (b) the particle's uncertainty in momentum? Explain your answers.

(a) The wave nature of particles results in the quantum-mechanical situation that a particle confined in a box can assume only wavelengths that result in standing waves in the box, with nodes at the box walls. Use this to show that an electron confined in a one-dimensional box of length \(L\) will have energy levels given by $$E_{n}=\frac{n^{2} h^{2}}{8 m L^{2}}$$ (Hint: Recall that the relationship between the de Broglie wave-length and the speed of a nonrelativistic particle is \(m v=h / \lambda\) . The energy of the particle is \(\frac{1}{2} m v^{2} . )\) (b) If a hydrogen atom is modeled as a one- dimensional box with length equal to the Bohr radius, what is the energy (in electron volts) of the lowest energy level of the electron?

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