40

QUANTUM MECHANICS

40.1.

IDENTIFY and SET UP: The energy levels for a particle in a box are given by En =
EXECUTE: (a) The lowest level is for n = 1, and E1 =

n2h 2
.
8mL2

(1)(6.626 1034 J s) 2
= 1.2 1067 J.
8(0.20 kg)(1.5 m) 2

1
2E
2(1.2 1067 J)
(b) E = mv 2 so v =
=
= 1.1 1033 m/s. If the ball has this speed the time it would take it
2
m
0.20 kg
to travel from one side of the table to the other is t =

1.5 m
= 1.4 1033 s.
1.1 1033 m/s

h2
, E2 = 4 E1 , so E = E2 E1 = 3E1 = 3(1.2 1067 J) = 3.6 10 67 J
8mL2
(d) EVALUATE: No, quantum mechanical effects are not important for the game of billiards. The discrete,
quantized nature of the energy levels is completely unobservable.
h
L=
8mE1
(c) E1 =

40.2.

L=

40.3.

8(1.673 10

27

kg)(5.0 10 eV)(1.602 10
6

19

J eV )

= 6.4 1015 m.

IDENTIFY: An electron in the lowest energy state in this box must have the same energy as it would in the ground
state of hydrogen.
nh 2
SET UP: The energy of the nth level of an electron in a box is En =
.
8mL2
EXECUTE: An electron in the ground state of hydrogen has an energy of 13.6 eV, so find the width
corresponding to an energy of E1 = 13.6 eV. Solving for L gives
L=

40.4.

(6.626 1034 J s)

h
(6.626 1034 J s)
=
= 1.66 10 10 m.
8mE1
8(9.11 1031 kg)(13.6 eV)(1.602 1019 J eV )

EVALUATE: This width is of the same order of magnitude as the diameter of a Bohr atom with the electron in the
K shell.
(a) The energy of the given photon is
E = hf = h

= (6.63 1034 J s)

(3.00 103 m/s)

= 1.63 1018 J.
(122 109 m)

The energy levels of a particle in a box are given by Eq.40.9

h2
h 2 ( n12 n2 )
(6.63 1034 J s) 2 (2 2 12 )
( n 2 n2 ). L =
=
= 3.33 10 10 m.
2
8mL
8m E
8(9.11 1031 kg)(1.63 1020 J)
(b) The ground state energy for an electron in a box of the calculated dimensions is
h2
(6.63 1034 J s) 2
E=
=
= 5.43 1019 J = 3.40 eV (one-third of the original photon energy),
2
8mL 8(9.11 1031 kg)(3.33 10 10 m) 2
which does not correspond to the 13.6 eV ground state energy of the hydrogen atom. Note that the energy levels for
a particle in a box are proportional to n 2 , whereas the energy levels for the hydrogen atom are proportional to 12 .
n

E =

40-1

40-2

40.5.

Chapter 40

IDENTIFY and SET UP: Eq.(40.9) gives the energy levels. Use this to obtain an expression for E2 E1 and use the
value given for this energy difference to solve for L.
4h 2
h2
. The energy separation
EXECUTE: Ground state energy is E1 =
; first excited state energy is E2 =
2
8mL
8mL2
3h2
3
=
. This gives L = h
between these two levels is E = E2 E1 =
8m E
8mL2
3
= 6.1 1010 m = 0.61 nm.
8(9.109 10 31 kg)(3.0 eV)(1.602 1019 J/1 eV)
EVALUATE: This energy difference is typical for an atom and L is comparable to the size of an atom.
(a) The wave function for n = 1 vanishes only at x = 0 and x = L in the range 0 x L.
(b) In the range for x, the sine term is a maximum only at the middle of the box, x = L / 2.
(c) The answers to parts (a) and (b) are consistent with the figure.
IDENTIFY and SET UP: For the n = 2 first excited state the normalized wave function is given by Eq.(40.13).
2 2 2 x
2
2
2
2 x
sin
2 ( x) =
. 2 ( x) dx = sin
dx. Examine 2 ( x) dx and find where it is zero and where it is
L
L
L
L

maximum.
2
2 x
EXECUTE: (a) 2 dx = 0 implies sin
=0
L
2 x
= m , m = 0, 1, 2, . . . ; x = m( L/2)
L
For m = 0, x = 0; for m = 1, x = L/2; for m = 2, x = L
The probability of finding the particle is zero at x = 0, L/2, and L.
2
2 x
(b) 2 dx is maximum when sin
= 1
L
2 x
= m( /2), m = 1, 3, 5, . . . ; x = m( L/4)
L
For m = 1, x = L/4; for m = 3, x = 3L/4
The probability of finding the particle is largest at x = L/4 and 3L/4.
L = 6.626 10 34 J s

40.6.

40.7.

(c) EVALUATE:

The answers to part (a) correspond to the zeros of

answers to part (b) correspond to the two values of x where

shown in Fig.40.5 in the textbook and the

in the figure is maximum.

d
8 2 m
2m
2
2
=

,
and
for

to
be
a
solution
of
Eq.(40.3),
k
=
E
=E 2 .
2
2
dx
h
=
(b) The wave function must vanish at the rigid walls; the given function will vanish at x = 0 for any k , but to
vanish at x = L, kL = n for integer n.
2

40.8.

40.9.

(a) IDENTIFY and SET UP:

satisfied.
EXECUTE: Eq.(40.3):

= A cos kx. Calculate d 2 /dx 2 and substitute into Eq.(40.3) to see if this equation is

h2 d 2
= E
8 2 m dx 2

d
= A( k sin kx) = Ak sin kx
dx
2
d
= Ak ( k cos kx) = Ak 2 cos kx
dx 2
h2
Thus Eq.(40.3) requires 2 ( Ak 2 cos kx ) = E ( A cos kx).
8 m
2 2
hk
2mE
2mE
=
This says 2 = E ; k =
8 m
( h/2 )
=
2mE
.
=
(b) EVALUATE: The wave function for a particle in a box with rigid walls at x = 0 and x = L must satisfy the
boundary conditions = 0 at x = 0 and = 0 at x = L. (0) = A cos0 = A, since cos 0 = 1. Thus is not 0 at
x = 0 and this wave function isn't acceptable because it doesn't satisfy the required boundary condition, even
though it is a solution to the Schrdinger equation.

= A cos kx is a solution to Eq.(40.3) if k =

Quantum Mechanics

40.10.

(a) The third excited state is n = 4, so

E = (42 1)
(b) =
40.11.

40-3

h2
15(6.626 10 34 J s) 2
=
= 5.78 10 17 J = 361 eV.
2
8mL 8(9.11 10 31 kg)(0.125 10 9 m) 2

hc (6.63 1034 J s)(3.0 108 m/s)

=
= 3.44 nm
E
5.78 1017 J

Recall =
(a) E1 =

h
h
=
.
p
2mE

h2
h
1 =
= 2 L = 2(3.0 1010 m) = 6.0 10 10 m. The wavelength is twice the width of
2
8mL
2mh 2 /8mL2

the box. p1 =

(6.63 1034 J s)
= 1.1 1024 kg m/s
6.0 1010 m

(b) E2 =

p2 =

4h
2 = L = 3.0 10 10 m. The wavelength is the same as the width of the box.
8mL2
= 2 p1 = 2.2 1024 kg m/s.

9h 2
2
3 = L = 2.0 1010 m. The wavelength is two-thirds the width of the box.
8mL2
3
24
p3 = 3 p1 = 3.3 10 kg m/s.
IDENTIFY: If the given wave function is a solution to the Schrdinger equation, we will get an identity when we
substitute that wave function into the Schrdinger equation.

(c) E3 =

40.12.

SET UP: We must substitute the equation ( x, t ) =

equation

2
n x iEn t/=
sin
into the one-dimensional Schrdinger
e
L
L

= 2 d 2 ( x)
+ U ( x) ( x) = E ( x).
2m dx 2
2

EXECUTE: Taking the second derivative of ( x, t ) with respect to x gives

d 2 (x, t )
n
=
(x, t )
dx 2
L

= 2 d 2 (x)
= 2 n
+
=
we
get
U
(
x
)

(
x
)
E

(
x
),

(x, t ) = E (x, t ) which

2m dx 2
2m L
2

Substituting this result into

2

= 2 n

, the energies of a particle in a box.

2m L
EVALUATE: Since this process gives us the energies of a particle in a box, the given wave function is a solution
to the Schrdinger equation.
= 2 d 2
(a) Eq.(40.1):
+ U = E.
2m dx 2
= 2k 2

= 2 d 2
= 2k 2
(
sin
)
sin
sin
sin
Left-hand side:
A
kx
+
U
A
kx
=
A
kx
+
U
A
kx
=
+ U 0 .

0
0
2
2m dx
2m
2m

gives En =

40.13.

= 2k 2
= 2k 2
+ U 0 > U 0 > E for constant k . But
+ U 0 should equal E no solution.
2m
2m
= 2k 2
(b) If E > U 0 , then
+ U 0 = E is consistent and so = A sin kx is a solution of Eq.(40.1) for this case.
2m
According to Eq.(40.17), the wavelength of the electron inside of the square well is given by
h
2mE
k=
. By an analysis similar to that used to derive Eq.40.17, we can show that outside
in =
=
2m(3U 0 )

But

40.14.

the box

out =

Thus, the ratio of the wavelengths is

h
h
=
.
2 m( E U 0 )
2m(2U 0 )

2m(3U 0 )
out
3
=
=
.
2
in
2m(2U 0 )

40-4

Chapter 40

40.15.

E1 = 0.625 E = 0.625

2= 2
; E1 = 2.00 eV = 3.20 1019 J
2mL2
1/ 2

40.16.

40.17.

0.625
10
L = =
= 3.43 10 m
31
19
2(9.109
10
kg)(3.20
10
J)

Since U 0 = 6 E we can use the result E1 = 0.625 E from Section 40.3, so U 0 E1 = 5.375 E and the maximum
wavelength of the photon would be

Eq.(40.16): = Asin

hc
hc
8mL2c
=
=
2
2
U 0 E1 (5.375)(h /8mL ) (5.375) h

8(9.11 1031 kg)(1.50 109 m) 2 (3.00 108 m/s)

= 1.38 106 m.
(5.375)(6.63 1034 J s)

2mE
2mE
x + B cos
x
=
=

d 2
2mE
2mE
2mE
2mE
2mE
= A 2 sin
x B 2 cos
x=
( ) = Eq.(40.15).
2
dx
=
=
=2
=
=
40.18.

40.19.

d
d 2
= (Ce x De x ),
= 2 (Ce x + De x ) = 2 for all constants C and D. Hence is a solution to
dx
dx 2
=2 2
Eq.(40.1) for
+ U 0 = E , or = [2m(U 0 E )]1/ 2 =, and is real for E < U 0 .
2m
IDENTIFY: Find the transition energy E and set it equal to the energy of the absorbed photon. Use E = hc/ to
find the wavelength of the photon.
2= 2
SET UP: U 0 = 6 E , as in Fig.40.8 in the textbook, so E1 = 0.625 E and E3 = 5.09 E with E =
. In this
2mL2
problem the particle bound in the well is a proton, so m = 1.673 10 27 kg.
EXECUTE:

E =

2= 2
2

2mL

2 (1.055 1034 J s) 2
2(1.673 1027 kg)(4.0 1015 m) 2

= 2.052 1012 J. The transition energy is

E = E3 E1 = (5.09 0.625) E = 4.465 E . E = 4.465(2.052 10 12 J) = 9.162 1012 J

The wavelength of the photon that is absorbed is related to the transition energy by E = hc/ , so
hc (6.626 1034 J s)(2.998 108 m/s)
=
= 2.2 1014 m = 22 fm.
E
9.162 1012 J
EVALUATE: The wavelength of the photon is comparable to the size of the box.
IDENTIFY: The longest wavelength corresponds to the smallest energy change.
h2
SET UP: The ground level energy level of the infinite well is E =
, and the energy of the photon must be
8mL2
equal to the energy difference between the two shells.
EXECUTE: The 400.0 nm photon must correspond to the n = 1 to n = 2 transition. Since U 0 = 6 E , we have

40.20.

E2 = 2.43E and E1 = 0.625 E . The energy of the photon is equal to the energy difference between the two levels,
and E =

h2
hc
1.805 h 2
,
which
gives
=

=
E
E
E
(2.43
0.625)
E
2
1

8mL2
8mL2

(1.805) h
(1.805)(6.626 10 34 J s)(4.00 107 m)
=
= 4.68 10 10 m = 0.468 nm.
8mc
8(9.11 10 31 kg)(3.00 108 m s)
EVALUATE: This width is approximately half that of a Bohr hydrogen atom.
E
E 2 L 2 m (U 0 E )/= E
6.0 eV
=
and E U 0 = 5 eV = 8.0 1019 J.
T = 16 1
.
e
U0 U0
U 0 11.0 eV

Solving for L gives L =

40.21.

6.0 eV
6.0 ev 2(0.80109 m)
(a) L = 0.80 109 m: T = 16
1
e
11.0
eV
11.0
eV

(b) L = 0.40 109 m: T = 4.2 104.

2(9.111031 kg)(8.01019 J) /1.0551034 J s

= 4.4 10 8

Quantum Mechanics

40.22.

The transmission coefficient is T = 16

E
E 2
1
e
U0 U0

2 m (U 0 E ) L/=

40-5

, with E = 5.0 eV, L = 0.60 109 m, and

m = 9.11 10 31 kg

(a) U 0 = 7.0 eV T = 5.5 10 4 .

(b) U 0 = 9.0 eV T = 1.8 105
(c) U 0 = 13.0 eV T = 1.1 107.
40.23.

IDENTIFY and SET UP: Use Eq.(39.1), where K = p 2 /2m and E = K + U .

= h/p = h/ 2mK , so K is constant

EXECUTE:

1 K1 = 2 K 2 ; 1 and K1 are for x > L where K1 = 2U 0 and 2 and K 2 are for 0 < x < L where
K2 = E U0 = U 0

1
K2
U0
1
=
=
=
K1
2U 0
2
2
40.24.

EVALUATE: When the particle is passing over the barrier its kinetic energy is less and its wavelength is larger.
IDENTIFY: The probability of tunneling depends on the energy of the particle and the width of the barrier.
E
E
SET UP: The probability of tunneling is approximately T = Ge2 L , where G = 16 1
and
U0 U0

2 m (U 0 E )
=

EXECUTE:

G = 16

E
E
50.0 eV 50.0 eV
1
= 16
1
= 3.27.
U0 U0
70.0 eV 70.0 eV

2m(U 0 E )
2(1.67 10 27 kg)(70.0 eV 50.0 eV)(1.60 10 19 J/eV)
=
= 9.8 1011 m 1
(6.63 1034 J s) 2
=

1
1
3.27
12
ln(G / T ) =
ln
= 3.6 10 m = 3.6 pm
2
2(9.8 1011 m 1 ) 0.0030
If the proton were replaced with an electron, the electrons mass is much smaller so L would be larger.
EVALUATE: An electron can tunnel through a much wider barrier than a proton of the same energy.
Solving T = Ge2 L for L gives L =

40.25.

IDENTIFY and SET UP: The probability is T = Ae2 L , with A = 16

2m(U 0 E )
E
E
.
1
and =
U0 U0
=

E = 32 eV, U 0 = 41 eV, L = 0.25 10 9 m. Calculate T.

EXECUTE: (a) A = 16

E
E
32 32
1
= 16 1 = 2.741.
U0 U0
41 41

2m(U 0 E )
=
2(9.109 1031 kg)(41 eV 32 eV)(1.602 10 19 J/eV)
= 1.536 1010 m 1
=
1.055 1034 J s

T = Ae2 L = (2.741)e 2(1.53610 m )(0.2510 m) = 2.741e 7.68 = 0.0013

(b) The only change in the mass m, which appears in .
2m(U 0 E )
=
=
2(1.673 10 27 kg)(41 eV 32 eV)(1.602 1019 J/eV)
= 6.584 1011 m 1
=
1.055 1034 J s
11
-1
9
Then T = Ae2 L = (2.741)e 2(6.58410 m )(0.2510 m) = 2.741e 392.2 = 10143
EVALUATE: The more massive proton has a much smaller probability of tunneling than the electron does.
10

40-6

Chapter 40

40.26.

T = Ge 2 L with G = 16

2
2m(U 0 E )
E
E
E
E
, so T = 16 1
1
and =
e
U0 U0
=
U0 U0

2 m (U 0 E )
=

(a) If U 0 = 30.0 106 eV, L = 2.0 10 15 m, m = 6.64 10 27 kg and

U 0 E = 1.0 106 eV (E = 29.0 106 eV), T = 0.090.

(b) If U 0 E = 10.0 106 eV (E = 20.0 106 eV), T = 0.014.

40.27.

IDENTIFY and SET UP: The energy levels are given by Eq.(40.26), where =

k
110 N/m
=
= 21.0 rad/s
m
0.250 kg
The ground state energy is given by Eq.(40.26):
1
1
E0 = = = (1.055 1034 J s)(21.0 rad/s) = 1.11 10 33 J(1 eV/1.602 10 19 J) = 6.93 1015 eV
2
2
1
1

En = n + = ; E( n +1) = n + 1 + =
2
2

The energy separation between these adjacent levels is

E = En +1 En = = = 2 E0 = 2(1.11 1033 J) = 2.22 1033 J = 1.39 1014 eV
EVALUATE: These energies are extremely small; quantum effects are not important for this oscillator.
d
d 2
= (4 x 2 2 2) , and is a solution of Eq.(40.21) if
Let mk 2= = , and so
= 2 x and
dx
dx 2
=2
1
1
E = = = k /m = =.
2
2
m
IDENTIFY: We can model the molecule as a harmonic oscillator. The energy of the photon is equal to the energy
difference between the two levels of the oscillator.
SET UP: The energy of a photon is E = hf = hc/ , and the energy levels of a harmonic oscillator are given by
EXECUTE:

40.28.

40.29.

k
.
m

1 k
1

En = n + =
= n + = .
2 m
2

(6.63 1034 J s)(3.00 108 m/s)

= 0.21 eV

5.8 106 m
k
2 =c
k
(b) The transition energy is E = En +1 En = = = =
, which gives
. Solving for k , we get
==

m
m
4 2c 2 m 4 2 (3.00 108 m s ) 2 (5.6 1026 kg)
=
= 5,900 N/m.
k =
2
(5.8 106 m) 2
EVALUATE: This would be a rather strong spring in the physics lab.
According to Eq.(40.26), the energy released during the transition between two adjacent levels is twice the ground
state energy E3 E2 = = = 2 E0 = 11.2 eV.
For a photon of energy E
c hc (6.63 1034 J s)(3.00 108 m s )
E = hf = =
=
= 111 nm.
f
E
(11.2 eV)(1.60 1019 J/eV)
EXECUTE: (a) The photons energy is E =

40.30.

40.31.

hc

IDENTIFY and SET UP: Use the energies given in Eq.(40.26) to solve for the amplitude A and maximum speed
vmax of the oscillator. Use these to estimate x and px and compute the uncertainty product xpx .
EXECUTE: The total energy of a Newtonian oscillator is given by E = 12 k A2 where k is the force constant and A

is the amplitude of the oscillator. Set this equal to the energy E = (n + 12 ) = of an excited level that has quantum
number n, where =

k
, and solve for A:
m

1
2

k A2 = ( n + 12 ) =

(2n + 1)=
k
2
. Set this equal to E = (n + 12 ) = and
The total energy of the Newtonian oscillator can also be written as E = 12 mvmax
A=

solve for vmax :

vmax =

1
2

2
mvmax
= ( n + 12 ) =

(2n + 1)=
m

Quantum Mechanics

40-7

Thus the maximum linear momentum of the oscillator is pmax = mvmax = (2n + 1)=m . Assume that A represents
the uncertainty x in position and that pmax is the corresponding uncertainty px in momentum. Then the
(2n + 1)=
m
1
(2n + 1)=m = (2n + 1)=
= (2n + 1)= = (2n + 1)=.
k
k

EVALUATE: For n = 1 this gives x px = 3=, in agreement with the result derived in Section 40.4. The
uncertainty product x px increases with n.
uncertainty product is x px =

40.32.

mk 2

A = exp mk = e 1 = 0.368.
= exp
=
k
(0)

This is consistent with what is shown in Figure 40.20 in the textbook.

(a)

mk

= exp
(2 A) 2 = exp mk 4 = e 4 = 1.83 102.
=
k

(0)

This figure cannot be read this precisely, but the qualitative decrease in amplitude with distance is clear.
IDENTIFY: We model the atomic vibration in the crystal as a harmonic oscillator.
1 k
1

SET UP: The energy levels of a harmonic oscillator are given by En = n + =

= n + = .
2
m
2

EXECUTE: (a) The ground state energy of a simple harmonic oscillator is

(b)

40.33.

( A)

(2 A) 2
2

1
1 k (1.055 10 34 J s)
12.2 N/m
E0 = = = =
=
= 9.43 1022 J = 5.89 103 eV
2
2 m
2
3.82 1026 kg
(b) E4 E3 = = = 2 E0 = 0.0118 eV, so =

40.34.

hc (6.63 10 34 J s)(3.00 108 m/s)

=
= 106 m
E
1.88 10 21 J

(c) En +1 En = = = 2 E0 = 0.0118 eV
EVALUATE: These energy differences are much smaller than those due to electron transitions in the hydrogen
atom.
IDENTIFY: If the given wave function is a solution to the Schrdinger equation, we will get an identity when we
substitute that wave function into the Schrdinger equation.
SET UP: The given function is ( x) = Aeikx , and the one-dimensional Schrdinger equation is

= d 2 ( x)
+ U ( x) ( x) = E ( x).
2m dx 2

EXECUTE: Start with the given function and take the indicated derivatives: ( x) = Aeikx .

d ( x )
= Aikeikx .
dx

= d 2 ( x) = 2 2
d 2 ( x)
d 2 ( x)
= Ai 2k 2eikx = Ak 2eikx .
= k 2 ( x).
=
k ( x). Substituting these results into the
2
2
dx
dx
2m dx 2
2m
= 2k 2
( x) + U 0 ( x) = E ( x).
one-dimensional Schrdinger equation gives
2m
= 2k 2
EVALUATE: ( x ) = A eikx is a solution to the one-dimensional Schrdinger equation if E U 0 =
or
2m
2 m( E U 0 )
. (Since U 0 < E was given, k is the square root of a positive quantity.) In terms of the particles
=2
momentum p: k = p/=, and in terms of the particles de Broglie wavelength : k = 2 / .
k=

40.35.

IDENTIFY: Let I refer to the region x < 0 and let II refer to the region x > 0, so I ( x) = Aeik1 x + Be ik1 x and

II ( x) = Ceik x . Set I (0) = II (0) and

2

SET UP:

d I d II
=
at x = 0.
dx
dx

d ikx
(e ) = ikeikx .
dx

d I d II
=
at x = 0 gives ik1 A ik1B = ik2C. Solving this pair of
dx
dx
k k
2k 2
equations for B and C gives B = 1 2 A and C =
A.
k1 + k2
k1 + k2

EXECUTE:

I (0) = II (0) gives A + B = C.

40-8

Chapter 40

EVALUATE: The probability of reflection is R =

B 2 (k1 k2 ) 2
=
. The probability of transmission is
A2 ( k1 + k2 ) 2

C2
4k12
=
. Note that R + T = 1.
A2 ( k1 + k2 ) 2
(n + 1) 2 n 2 2n + 1 2 1
(a) Rn =
=
= + 2 . This is never larger than it is for n = 1, and R1 = 3.
n2
n2
n n
(b) R approaches zero; in the classical limit, there is no quantization, and the spacing of successive levels is
vanishingly small compared to the energy levels.
n2h 2
IDENTIFY and SET UP: The energy levels are given by Eq.(40.9): En =
. Calculate E for the transition
8mL2
and set E = hc/ , the energy of the photon.
T=

40.36.

40.37.

EXECUTE: (a) Ground level, n = 1, E1 =

First excited level, n = 2, E2 =

4h 2
8mL2

The transition energy is E = E2 E1 =

3h 2
. Set the transition energy equal to the energy hc/ of the emitted
8mL2

3h 2
.
8mL2
2
31
8mcL 8(9.109 10 kg)(2.998 108 m/s)(4.18 109 m) 2
=
=
3h
3(6.626 10 34 J s)
5
= 1.92 10 m = 19.2 m.
9h 2
9h 2
4h 2
5h 2
(b) Second excited level has n = 3 and E3 =
. The transition energy is E = E3 E2 =

=
.
2
2
2
8mL
8mL 8mL 8mL2
hc 5h 2
8mcL2 3
=
so =
= (19.2 m) = 11.5 m.
2
5h
5
8mL
EVALUATE: The energy spacing between adjacent levels increases with n, and this corresponds to a shorter
wavelength and more energetic photon in part (b) than in part (a).
L 4
2 L/4
x
2 L/ 4 1
2x
1
L
2x
1 1
(a)
= , which is about 0.0908.
sin 2 dx =
1 cos
dx = x
sin

0
0
L
L
L
2
L
L
2
L 0
4 2
photon. This gives

40.38.

h2
8mL2

hc

L2

(b) Repeating with limits of L 4 and L 2 gives

1
L
2x
1 1
,
x sin
= +
L L 4 4 2
L
2

about 0.409.
(c) The particle is much likely to be nearer the middle of the box than the edge.
(d) The results sum to exactly 1/2, which means that the particle is as likely to be between x = 0 and L 2 as it is to
be between x = L 2 and x = L.
(e) These results are represented in Figure 40.5b in the textbook.
40.39.

IDENTIFY: The probability of the particle being between x1 and x2 is

x2
x1

dx, where is the normalized

wave function for the particle.

2
x
sin
.
L
L
EXECUTE: The probability P of the particle being between x = L / 4 and x = 3L / 4 is
3L / 4
2 3L / 4 2 x
2
P=
1 dx =
sin
dx. Let y = x / L; dx = ( L / ) dy and the integration limits become / 4 and
L/4
L L/4
L
3 / 4.
3 / 4
2 L 3 / 4 2
2 1
1

P =
sin y dy = y sin 2 y
L /4
4
2
/4
(a) SET UP: The normalized wave function for the ground state is 1 =

2 3 1 3 1
sin
+ sin
8 8 4 2 4 2
2 1
1 1 1
1
1
P = ( 1) + (1) = + = 0.818. (Note: The integral formula sin 2 y dy = y sin 2 y was used.)
4 2
2
4
4 4
P=

Quantum Mechanics

(b) SET UP: The normalized wave function for the first excited state is 2 =
EXECUTE:

P=

3L / 4
L/4

2 dx =

40-9

2
2 x
sin

L
L

2 3 L / 4 2 2 x
sin
dx. Let y = 2 x / L; dx = ( L / 2 ) dy and the integration limits
L L/ 4
L

become / 2 and 3 / 2.
3 / 2
2 L 3 / 2 2
1 1
1
1 3

P=
y
dy
y
y
sin
sin
2
=

=
= 0.500

L 2 / 2
4
2
/2 4 4
(c) EVALUATE:

These results are consistent with Fig.40.4b in the textbook. That figure shows that

is more

concentrated near the center of the box for the ground state than for the first excited state; this is consistent with the
answer to part (a) being larger than the answer to part (b). Also, this figure shows that for the first excited state half
the area under
40.40.

curve lies between L/4 and 3L/4, consistent with our answer to part (b).

Using the normalized wave function 1 = 2 L sin(x L) , the probabilities | |2 dx are

(a) (2 L) sin 2 ( 4)dx = dx / L
(b) (2 L) sin 2 ( / 2) dx = 2dx / L
(c) (2 L )sin 2 (3 4) = dx L .

40.41.

IDENTIFY and SET UP: The normalized wave function for the n = 2 first excited level is 2 =

2
2 x
sin
.
L
L

P = ( x) dx is the probability that the particle will be found in the interval x to x + dx.
2

EXECUTE: (a) x = L/4

2
2 L
sin
=
L
L 4
P = (2/L) dx
(b) x = L/2

2

sin =
L
2

2
2 L
sin
=
L
L 2

2
sin( ) = 0
L

( x) =

( x) =

2
.
L

P=0
(c) x = 3L/4
2
2 3L
sin
=
L
L 4
P = (2/L) dx

( x) =

2
2
3
sin =
.
L
L
2

EVALUATE: Our results are consistent with the n = 2 part of Fig.40.5 in the textbook.
40.42.

40.43.

is zero at the center

of the box and is symmetric about this point.

G
G
hn
G G
G
=n hn
p = pfinal pinitial . p = =k =
=
. At x = 0 the initial momentum at the wall is pinitial = i and the final
L
2L
2L
G
G
hn
hn hn
hn
momentum, after turning around, is pfinal = + i . So, p = + i i = + i . At x = L the initial
2L
2L 2L
L
G
G
hn
hn
momentum is pinitial = + i and the final momentum, after turning around, is pfinal = i. So,
2L
2L
G
hn
hn
hn
p = i
i = i
2L
2L
L
d 2 ( x )
2m

(a) For a free particle, U ( x) = 0 so Schrodinger's
= 2 E ( x ). The graph is given in
equation becomes
2
dx
h
Figure 40.43.
= 2 2
d ( x)
d 2 ( x )
2m
.
(b) For x < 0: ( x) = e + x .
= e + x .
= 2e + x . So 2 = 2 E E =
dx
dx
2m
=
d ( x)
d 2 ( x)
(c) For x > 0: ( x ) = e x .
= ke x .
= 2e x
dx
dx

40-10

Chapter 40

So again 2 =

2m
= 2 2

E
E
. Parts (c) and (d) show ( x) satisfies the Schrodinger's

=
equation, provided
2m
=2

= 2 2
.
2m
d ( x)
(d) Note
is discontinuous at x = 0. (That is, negative for x > 0 and positive for x < 0.)
dx

E=

40.44.

Figure 40.43
IDENTIFY: We start with the penetration distance formula given in the problem.
=
SET UP: The given formula is =
.
2m(U 0 E )
EXECUTE: (a) Substitute the given numbers into the formula:
=
1.055 1034 J s
=
=
= 7.4 10 11 m
2m (U 0 E )
2(9.11 10 31 kg)(20 eV 13 eV)(1.602 1019 J/eV)

(b) =
40.45.

1.055 1034 J s
2(1.67 10

27

kg)(30 MeV 20 MeV)(1.602 10

13

J/MeV)

= 1.44 1015 m

EVALUATE: The penetration depth varies widely depending on the mass and energy of the particle.
(a) We set the solutions for inside and outside the well equal to each other at the well boundaries, x = 0 and L.
x = 0 : A sin(0) + B = C B = C , since we must have D = 0 for x < 0.

2mEL
2mEL
+ B cos
= + De L since C = 0 for x > L.
=
=
2mE
.
This gives A sin kL + B cos kL = De L , where k =
=
(b) Requiring continuous derivatives at the boundaries yields
d
x = 0:
= kA cos(k 0) kB sin(k 0) = kA = Ce k 0 kA = C
dx
x = L: kA cos kL kB sin kL = De L .
2m(U 0 E )
1 T
E
E
T = Ge2 L with G = 16 1
L = ln .
and =
=
2 G
U0 U0
x = L: A sin

40.46.

If E = 5.5 eV, U 0 = 10.0 eV, m = 9.11 1031 kg, and T = 0.0010. Then

2(9.11 1031 kg)(4.5 eV)(1.60 1019 J eV)

5.5 eV
5.5 eV
= 1.09 1010 m 1 and G = 16
1
= 3.96
34
10.0 eV 10.0 eV
(1.054 10 J s)

so L =
40.47.

1
0.0010
10
ln
= 3.8 10 m = 0.38 nm.
2(1.09 1010 m 1 ) 3.96

IDENTIFY and SET UP: When L is large, then e L is large and e L is small. When L is small,
sinh L L. Consider both L large and L small limits.

(U sinh L) 2
EXECUTE: (a) T = 1 + 0

4E (U 0 E )

Quantum Mechanics

sinh L =

e
2

40-11

e L
U 02e 2 L
16 E (U 0 E )
and T 1 +
=

2
16
E
(
U
E
)
16
E
(
U 0 E ) + U 02e 2 L

0
For L W1, 16 E (U 0 E ) + U 02e2 L U 02e 2 L

For L W1, sinh L

E
16 E (U 0 E )
E 2 L
= 16 1
e , which is Eq.(40.21).
U 02e 2 L
U
U
0
0

L 2m(U 0 E )
. So L W1 when L is large (barrier is wide) or U 0 E is large. (E is small compared to U 0 . )
=
2m(U 0 E )
; becomes small as E approaches U 0 . For small, sinh L L and
(c) =
=
1
1

U 02 2m(U 0 E ) L2
U 02 2 L2
=
+
T 1 +
1

(using the definition of )

= 2 4 E (U 0 E )
4 E (U 0 E )

(b) L =

2U 2 L2 m
Thus T 1 + 0 2
4 E=

U 0 E so

2 EL2 m
U 02
E and T 1 +

E
4= 2

kL 2
2mE
But k = 2 , so T 1 + , as was to be shown.
=
2
EVALUATE: When L is large Eq.(40.20) applies and T is small. When E U 0 , T does not approach unity.
1
(a) E = mv 2 = (n + (1 2))= = ( n + (1 2)) hf , and solving for n,
2
1 2
mv 1 (1/2)(0.020 kg)(0.360 m/s) 2 1
n= 2
=
= 1.3 1030.
hf
2 (6.63 1034 J s)(1.50 Hz) 2
2

40.48.

40.49.

40.50.

(b) The difference between energies is = = hf = (6.63 1034 J s)(1.50 Hz) = 9.95 10 34 J. This energy is too
small to be detected with current technology
IDENTIFY and SET UP: Calculate the angular frequency of the pendulum and apply Eq.(40.26) for the energy levels.
2
2
EXECUTE: =
=
= 4 s 1
T
0.500 s
1
1
The ground-state energy is E0 = = = (1.055 1034 J s)(4 s 1 ) = 6.63 1034 J.
2
2
E0 = 6.63 1034 J(1 eV/1.602 1019 J) = 4.14 10 15 eV

En = n + =
2

En +1 = n + 1 + =
2

The energy difference between the adjacent energy levels is

E = En +1 En = = = 2 E0 = 1.33 1033 J = 8.30 1015 eV
EVALUATE: These energies are much too small to detect. Quantum effects are not important for ordinary size objects.
IDENTIFY: We model the electrons in the lattice as a particle in a box. The energy of the photon is equal to the
energy difference between the two energy states in the box.
n2h 2
SET UP: The energy of an electron in the nth level is En =
. We do not know the initial or final levels, but
8mL2
we do know they differ by 1. The energy of the photon, hc/ , is equal to the energy difference between the two states.
hc (6.63 1034 J s)(3.00 108 m/s)
=
=
EXECUTE: The energy difference between the levels is E =

1.649 107 m
18
1.206 10 J. Using the formula for the energy levels in a box, this energy difference is equal to
h2
h2
E = n2 (n 1) 2
= (2n 1)
.
2
8mL
8mL2

40-12

40.51.

Chapter 40

E 8mL2 1 (1.206 1018 J)8(9.11 1031 kg)(0.500 109 m) 2

+ 1 =
+ 1 = 3.
Solving for n gives n =
2
(6.626 1034 J s) 2
h
2

The transition is from n = 3 to n = 2.

EVALUATE: We know the transition is not from the n = 4 to the n = 3 state because we let n be the higher state
and n 1 the lower state.
IDENTIFY: If the given wave function is a solution to the Schrdinger equation, we will get an identity when we
substitute that wave function into the Schrdinger equation.
2 2
SET UP: The given wave function is 0 ( x ) = A0 e x / 2 and the Schrdinger equation is
= d 2 ( x) k x 2

+
( x) = E ( x).
2m dx 2
2
2 2
2 2
d 0 ( x )
EXECUTE: (a) Start by taking the derivatives: 0 ( x ) = A0e x / 2 .
= 2 xA0 e x / 2 .
dx
2
d 2 0 ( x)
2 x 2 / 2 d 0 ( x )
2 2 x 2 / 2
2 2 2
2
2 2 2
.
= A0 e
+ ( ) x A0 e
= [ + ( ) x ] 0 ( x).
dx 2
dx 2
= d 2 0 ( x)
=2
= d 2 ( x) k x 2
[ 2 + ( 2 ) 2 x 2 ] 0 ( x). Equation (40.22) is
+

=
( x) = E ( x). Substituting
2
2m dx
2m
2m dx 2
2
2
2
=
k x
m
[ 2 + ( 2 ) 2 x 2 ] 0 ( x) +
0 ( x ) = E 0 ( x ). Since 2 =
the above result into that equation gives
and
=
2m
2
2
=2 2 2 k
= 2 m m 2
k
= 0.
( ) + =
=
, the coefficient of x2 is

+
2m
2
2m =
2
m

m
(b) A0 =

1/ 4

=
2
. The probability density function is
m
1/ 2
1/ 2
2
m
m
m x 2 /=
=
=
.
x
=
0,
At
e

.
=
=

(c) The classical turning points are at A =

0 ( x ) = A02e
2

d 0 ( x)
d 0 ( x)
m m
m
2 x 2
2 x 2
2
=
= 2
= 0.
. At x = 0,
( 2 x)e

xe
dx
= =
dx
=
2
2
1/ 2
d 2 0 ( x)
d 2 0 ( x)
m m
2 x 2
2 2
< 0. Therefore, at x = 0, the first derivative is
= 2
. At x = 0,

[1 2 x ]e
2
2
dx
dx
= =
zero and the second derivative is negative. Therefore, the probability density function has a maximum at x = 0.
2 2
=2
EVALUATE: 0 ( x) = A0e x / 2 is a solution to equation (40.22) if
( 2 ) 0 ( x ) = E 0 ( x) or
2m
= 2 2 =
=
E=
=
. E0 =
corresponds to n = 0 in Equation (40.26).
2
2m
2
IDENTIFY: If the given wave function is a solution to the Schrdinger equation, we will get an identity when we
substitute that wave function into the Schrdinger equation.
2 2
SET UP: The given wave function is 1 ( x ) = A1 2 xe x / 2 and the Schrdinger equation is
= d 2 ( x ) k x 2

+
( x ) = E ( x ).
2m dx 2
2
2 2
EXECUTE: (a) Start by taking the indicated derivatives: 1 ( x ) = A1 2 xe x / 2 .
2

40.52.

2 2

1/ 2

1/ 2

2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
d 1 ( x )
d 2 1 ( x)
= 2 2 x 2 A1e x / 2 + 2 A1e x / 2 .
= 2 A1 2 2 xe x / 2 2 A1 2 x 2 ( 2 x )e x / 2 + 2 A1 ( 2 x)e x / 2 .
2
dx
dx
d 2 1 ( x)
2
2 2 2
2
= [2 + ( ) x ] 1 ( x ) = [ 3 2 + ( 2 ) 2 x 2 ] 1 ( x)
dx 2
= d 2 1 ( x)
=2
[ 3 2 + ( 2 ) 2 x 2 ] 1 ( x )

2m dx 2
2m

Quantum Mechanics

40-13

= d ( x) k x
( x) = E ( x). Substituting the above result into that equation gives
+
2m dx 2
2
m
k x 2
=2
k
[3 2 + ( 2 ) 2 x 2 ] 1 ( x) +
1 ( x) = E 1 ( x). Since 2 =
and =
, the coefficient of x2 is

2m
2
=
m
2
=2 2 2 k
= 2 m m 2

=0
( ) + =

+
2m
2
2m =
2
2

Equation (40.22) is

1 m

2 =

1/ 4

(b) A1 =

1 m
=

2 =

1/ 2

(c) The probability density function is 1 ( x) = A12 4 x 2 e

2

d 1 ( x)

At x = 0, 1 = 0.
2

d 1 ( x)

At x = 0,
d 2 1 ( x)
2

4 x 2e

m x 2
=

= A12 8 xe

dx

= 0. At x =

dx

2 2

2 2

+ A12 4 x 2 ( 2 2 x )e

d 1 ( x)

2 2

= A12 8 xe

2 2

A12 8 x3 2e

2 2

dx

= 0.

dx
2
d 2 1 ( x)

= A12 8e

2 2

+ A12 8 x( 2 2 x)e

= A12 8e

2 2

A1216 x 2 2e

2 2

2 2

A12 8(3 x 2 ) 2e

A12 24 x 2 2e

2 2

2 2

A12 8 x3 2 ( 2 2 x)e

2 2

+ A1216 x 4 ( 2 ) 2 e x . At x = 0,
2 2

d 2 1 ( x)

> 0. So at
dx 2
dx 2
x = 0, the first derivative is zero and the second derivative is positive. Therefore, the probability density function
x

has a minimum at x = 0. At x =

d 2 1 ( x)
dx 2

< 0. So at x =

, the first derivative is zero and the second

derivative is negative. Therefore, the probability density function has maxima at x =

classical turning points for n = 0 as found in the previous question.
EVALUATE:

1 ( x ) = A1 2 xe

2 2

x /2

is a solution to equation (40.22) if

, corresponding to the

=2
(3 2 ) 1 ( x) = E 1 ( x) or
2m

3= 2 2 3=
3=
. E1 =
=
corresponds to n = 1 in Equation (40.26).
2
2m
2
IDENTIFY and SET UP: Evaluate 2 / x 2 , 2 / y 2 , and 2 / z 2 for the proposed and put Eq.(40.29). Use
E=

40.53.

that nx , ny , and nz are each solutions to Eq.(40.22).

+ U = E

2
= 2 d nx 1 2
nx , ny , nz are each solutions of Eq.(40.22), so
+ k x nx = Enx nx
2m dx 2
2
2
= 2 d ny 1 2

+ k y ny = Eny ny
2m dy 2
2
2
= 2 d nz 1 2

+ k z nz = Enz nz
2m dz 2
2
1
1
1
= nx ( x) ny ( y ) nz ( z ), U = k x 2 + k y 2 + k z 2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

2 d nz
ny
nx

,
=
=
=

n n .
n
n
n
n
x 2 dx 2 y z y 2 dy 2 x z z 2 dz 2 x y
= 2 d 2 nx 1 2
= 2 2 2 2
+
+
+
=

+ k x nx ny nz
U
So

2m x 2 y 2 z 2
2
2m dx

EXECUTE: (a)

= 2 2 2 2
+
+

2m x 2 y 2 z 2

= 2 d 2 ny 1 2
+
+ k y ny
2m dy 2
2

= 2 2 2 2
+
+

2m x 2 y 2 z 2

= 2 d 2 nz 1 2
nx nz +
+ k z nz nx ny
2m dz 2

+ U = ( Enx + Eny + Enz )

40-14

Chapter 40

Therefore, we have shown that this is a solution to Eq.(40.29), with energy

3

Enx ny nz = Enx + Eny + Enz = nx + n y + nz + =

2

3
(b) and (c) The ground state has nx = n y = nz = 0, so the energy is E000 = =. There is only one set of nx , n y and
2
nz that give this energy.
5
First-excited state: nx = 1, ny = nz = 0 or ny = 1, nx = nz = 0 or nz = 1, nx = ny = 0 and E100 = E010 = E001 = =
2
There are three different sets of nx , n y , nz quantum numbers that give this energy, so there are three different

40.54.

quantum states that have this same energy.

EVALUATE: For the three-dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator, the wave function is a product of onedimensional harmonic oscillator wavefunctions for each dimension. The energy is a sum of energies for three onedimensional oscillators. All the excited states are degenerate, with more than one state having the same energy.
1

1 = k1 m , 2 = k2 m . Let nx ( x) be a solution of Eq.(40.22) with Enx = nx + =1 , nx ( y ) be a similar

2

solution, nz ( z ) be a solution of Eq.(40.22) but with z as the independent variable instead of x, and
1

energy Enz = nz + 2.
2

(a) As in Problem 40.53, look for a solution of the form ( x, y, z ) = nx ( x ) ny ( y ) nz ( z ). Then,

= 2 2
1
2
2

= Enx k1x 2 with similar relations for

and 2 . Adding,
2
2
2m x
2
y
z

2
2
2
2

=
1 2 1 2 1 2

+
+

= En + Eny + Enz k1x k1 y k2 z

2m x 2 y 2 z 2 x
2
2
2

= ( Enx + Eny + Enz U ) = ( E U )

40.55.

where the energy E is E = Enx + Eny + Enz = = ( nx + n y + 1)12 + nz + 22 , with nx , n y and nz all nonnegative
2

integers.
1

(b) The ground level corresponds to nx = n y = nz = 0, and E = = 21 + 22 . The first excited level corresponds to
2

nx = ny = 0and nz = 1, since 12 > 22 , and E = = 21 + 22 . There is only one set of quantum numbers for both
2

the ground state and the first excited state.

(a) ( x ) = A sin kx and ( L 2) = 0 = (+ L 2)
2n 2
+ kL + kL
0 = A sin
= n k =
=

2
L

L
h nh
p 2 n 2 h2 (2n) 2 h2
pn =
=
En = n =
=
, where n = 1, 2...
n L
n
2m 2mL2
8mL2
(b) ( x ) = A cos kx and ( L / 2) = 0 = ( + L / 2)
=

(2n + 1) 2
kL kL
0 = A cos
= (2n + 1) k =
=
2
2
2
L

2L
(2n + 1) h
=
pn =
(2n + 1)
2L
(2n + 1) 2 h 2
n = 0, 1, 2...
8mL2
(c) The combination of all the energies in parts (a) and (b) is the same energy levels as given in Eq.(40.9), where
n2 h 2
En =
.
8mL2
(d) Part (a)s wave functions are odd, and part (b)s are even.
(a) As with the particle in a box, ( x) = A sin kx, where A is a constant and k 2 = 2mE = 2 . Unlike the particle in a
box, however, k and hence E do not have simple forms.
En =

40.56.

Quantum Mechanics

40-15

(b) For x > L, the wave function must have the form of Eq.(40.18). For the wave function to remain finite as
x , C = 0. The constant 2 = 2m(U 0 E ) =, as in Eq.(14.17) and Eq.(40.18).

(c) At x = L, A sin kL = De L and kA cos kL = De L . Dividing the second of these by the first gives
k cot kL = , a transcendental equation that must be solved numerically for different values of the length L and

the ratio E U 0 .
40.57.

p2
h
h
+ U ( x) p = 2m( E U ( x)). = ( x) =
.
2m
p
2m( E U ( x))
(b) As U ( x ) gets larger (i.e., U ( x) approaches E from belowrecall k 0), E U ( x)
gets smaller, so ( x) gets larger.
(c) When E = U ( x), E U ( x) = 0, so ( x ) .
b dx
b
b
dx
1 b
n
hn
2m( E U ( x )) dx = 2m( E U ( x)) dx = .
(d)
=
=
a ( x)
a
a
2
2
h 2m( E U ( x)) h a
(e) U ( x ) = 0 for 0 < x < L with classical turning points at x = 0 and x = L. So,
(a) E = K + U ( x) =

2m( E U ( x )) dx =

L
0

2mEdx = 2mE dx = 2mEL. So, from part (d),

0

hn
1 hn
hn
E=

=
2
2m 2 L 8mL2 .
(f ) Since U ( x) = 0 in the region between the turning points at x = 0 and x = L, the results is the same as part (e).
2 2

2mE L =

The height U 0 never enters the calculation. WKB is best used with smoothly varying potentials U ( x).
40.58.

1 2
2E
xTP =
.
(a) At the turning points E = k xTP
2
k
(b)

2 E/k

2 E/k

1
nh

2m E k x 2 dx = . To evaluate the integral, we want to get it into a form that matches the
2
2

standard integral given.

Letting A2 =
mk

40.59.

b
a

1
2mE
2E

2m E k x 2 = 2mE mk x 2 = mk
x 2 = mk
x2.
2
mk
k

2E
2E
2E
,a=
,and b = +
k
k
k
x
mk
2
2
2
A x dx = 2
x A x + A arcsin
2
A
2

2E 2E 2E 2E
2E k
2E
m
arcsin
arcsin (1) = 2 E
= mk

+
= mk
.

k
k
k
k

k
k 2
2 E k

hn
m
hn
k
h
= . Recall =
, so E =
n = =n.
Using WKB, this is equal to , so E
2
k
2
m
2
=
1

(c) We are missing the zero-point-energy offset of

recall E = = n + . However, our approximation isnt
2
2

bad at all!
E
(a) At the turning points E = A xTP xTP = .
A
(b)

+E / A
E / A

2m( E A x ) dx = 2

dy = 2mA dx when x =
2

E
A
0

2m( E Ax)dx =

E/A
0

2m( E Ax) dx. Let y = 2m( E Ax)

E
, y = 0, and when x = 0, y = 2mE. So
A
1 0 12
2 32
y dy =
y

2
mE
mA
3mA
23

2
hn
1 3mAh
23
E=
(2mE )3 2 =

n .
3mA
2
2m 4

=
2 mE

hn
2
. So,
(2mE )3 2 . Using WKB, this is equal to
2
3mA

40-16

Chapter 40

(c) The difference in energy decreases between successive levels. For example:
12 3 02 3 = 1, 2 2 3 12 3 = 0.59, 33 2 23 2 = 0.49,...

A sharp step gave ever-increasing level differences (~ n 2 ).

A parabola (~ x 2 ) gave evenly spaced levels (~n).

Now, a linear potential (~ x ) gives ever-decreasing level differences (~ n 2 3 ).

Roughly speaking, if the curvature of the potential (~ second derivative) is bigger than that of a parabola, then the
level differences will increase. If the curvature is less than a parabola, the differences will decrease.