Quantum mechahnics Definition and 190 Threads

  1. John Greger

    What Is the Correct Method to Estimate Ionization Energy in He-like Carbon?

    Homework Statement In He-like Carbon, C V, the excitation energy of 1s3s ##^1S## is 2851180 ##cm^-1## and for 1s4s ##^1S## it is 2988246 ##cm^-1##. Estimate the ionization energy. Compare with the value in the NIST database! Homework Equations ##E_{io}= T + E_{excitation}, ## ##T =...
  2. P

    Determine fine-structure constant

    Homework Statement The figure below shows the hyperfine structure in the transition 6s $^2S_{1/2}$ - 8p $^2P_{3/2}$ in 115In (I = 9/2). The measurement is made using a narrow-band tunable laser and a collimated atomic beam; hence the Doppler width is greatly reduced. The 6 components shown have...
  3. N

    On board a laser powered solar sail

    Can an on board laser be used to propel a solar sail spacecraft if the laser is pointed at the sails ? Would Newtons third law affect the laser and maybe prevent the ship from moving ? Thank you for answering my very ignorant questions. NineNinjas911
  4. Dhruv007

    B What is quantum entanglement and how it effects the space-time

    Can anyone explain me ; - What is quantum entanglement and how it effects the space-time and matter in our universe??
  5. Abhishek11235

    Proving the following properties

    Mentor note: Member warned that an attempt must be shown. 1. Homework Statement This question is from book Afken Weber, Mathematics for Physicist. An operator ##T(t + ε,t)## describes the change in the wave function from t to t + ##\epsilon## . For ##\epsilon## real and small enough so that...
  6. platosuniverse

    B Why doesn't the plate interact with the particle in double slit?

    When particles are shot at the plate/screen in the double slit experiment, why doesn't the particles interact with the screen? Shouldn't the plate act as an observer and "collapse" the wave function into one or the other slit? Why does it take a measuring apparatus to know which slit the...
  7. patric44

    I What is the physical meaning of Bogoliubov transformation?

    hi guys i recently was reading about hawking radiation and how he overcome the lack of a theory for quantum gravity by using a mathematical trick ( to see the effect of gravity on quantum fields ) and this trick was the Bogoliubov transformation ... , i just want some one to briefly explain...
  8. M

    Stuck on Quantum Mechanics Potential Steps Problem?

    Homework Statement The Attempt at a Solution [/B] Hi All, I'm having trouble answering part (f) of the above question. I have managed parts (d) and (e) fine but am not sure how to proceed with part (f). I am pretty sure that the amplitude of the reflected wave in region 1 will be zero...
  9. renec112

    QM: Issues with parity of spherical harmonics and Heisenberg

    Hi physics forms! I'm practicing to for an Quantum mechanics exam, and i have a problem. 1. Homework Statement I have two problems, but it's all related to the same main task. I have a state for the Hydrogen: ## \Psi = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\psi_{100} + i \psi_{211})## where ## \psi_{nlm}##...
  10. renec112

    Expectation value of raising and lower operator

    I am practicing old exams. I tried my best but looking at an old and a bit unreliable answer list, and i am not getting the same result. Homework Statement At time ##t=0## the nomralized harmonic oscialtor wavefunction is given by: ## \Psi(x,0) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\psi_0(x) + \psi_1(x) + i...
  11. A

    A Helium atom, variation method and virial theorem

    I need to calculate the energy of the ground state of a helium athom with the variational method using the wave function: $$\psi_{Z_e}(r_1,r_2)=u_{1s,Z_e}(r1)u_{1s, Z_e}(r2)=\frac{1}{\pi}\biggr(\frac{Z_e}{a_0}\biggr)^3e^{-\frac{Z_e(r_1+r_2)}{a_0}}$$ with ##Z_e## the effective charge considered...
  12. Riotto

    I Perturbative versus nonperturbative quantum mechanics

    What is the nonperturbative approach to quantum mechanics as opposed to perturbative one? When does the latter method fail and one has to apply nonperturbative approach? Please keep your discussion confined within non-relativistic quantum mechanics.
  13. A

    Solving Schrodinger's Equation with a weak Imaginary Potential

    Homework Statement A particle of energy E moves in one dimension in a constant imaginary potential -iV where V << E. a) Find the particle's wavefunction \Psi(x,t) approximating to leading non-vanishing order in the small quantity \frac{V}{E} << 1. b) Calculate the probability current density...
  14. T

    Total magnetic moment of hydrogen in weak magnetic field

    "Calculated the total magnetic moment of a hydrogen atom in the ground state in a weak magnetic field which arises from hyper fine splitting of the ground state. How many beams does hydrogen produce from a Stern-Gerlach analyzer with a weak magnetic field?" I've calculated the magnetic moments...
  15. L

    Maximizing Localization in Adding Multiple Plane Waves

    To whom it may concern, I am having issues with a given assignment in my quantum mechanics class. The instructions listed below are all I have to go on since the prof. is not available for discussion and I have searched through at least 15 articles regarding plane waves and a dozen textbooks...
  16. A

    Spin-orbit coupling for positronium

    Homework Statement Considering the atom made of an electron and a positron. The spin-orbit Hamiltonian is: $$H=\frac{e^2}{4\nu^2c^2r^34\pi\epsilon_0}\vec{L}\cdot\vec{S}$$ with ##\vec{L}## the relative angular momentum, with ##\vec{S}## the total spin and ##\mu## the reduced mass. Finding the...
  17. A

    Term symbol of a molecule in an excited state

    Homework Statement Considering the molecule of ##C_2^+## in an excited state with valence configuration ##2\sigma_g^2## ##2\sigma_u^2## ##1\pi_u^2## ##3\sigma_g^1##. Finding all the possible term symbol. Homework Equations Term symbol ##^{2S+1}\Lambda## ##L=0 \rightarrow \Sigma## ##L=1...
  18. S

    What is the Role of Software Engineering in Biomedical Informatics Research?

    am Samuel Owino, a software engineer for the Institute of Biomedical Informatics Research in Eldoret Kenya. I look forward to contributing to the growth of the forum. cheers!
  19. Jianphys17

    I Relation between statistics and theoretical physics

    Hi at all, maybe it's a bit trivial. However, the question that i ask myself is ; that relation there is between statistics-probab theory & theoretical physics. What role does it play in theoretical research ? (apart from the probabilistic amplitudes encountered in qm) Thanks for the answers
  20. Jianphys17

    I Are fundamental particles like electrons and protons truly matter waves?

    Hi at all, I've the following question: How the fondamental particles (electrons, protons) are seen as matter waves, what shape and size should be these waves? They are wave-packets?
  21. F

    Validity of Two-Fermion System Wavefunction with Quantum Numbers a and b

    Homework Statement Is the statement ”Given a two-fermion system, and two orbitals φ labeled by quantum numbers a, b, the two-body wavefunction (1,2 represent the particle variables) $$\psi(1,2) = \phi_a(1) \phi_a(2) - \phi_b(1) \phi_b(2) + \phi_a(1) \phi_b(2) - \phi_b(1) \phi_a(2) $$...
  22. Jianphys17

    Question on classical electron radius

    Hi at everyone, why on wiki there is written: " According to modern understanding, the electron is a point particle with a point charge and no spatial extent. Attempts to model the electron as a non-point particle are considered ill-conceived and counter-pedagogic " I don't understand this...
  23. M

    Numerically find the energy of the delta-well's bound state

    I'm working on an assignment where I'm required to numerically find the energy of a delta-potential's bound state. To do this, we've converted the time-independent schrödinger equation to an eigenvalue problem with E the eigen value, ψ the eigen vector and H a matrix as follows: with ##t =...
  24. E

    Probability of penetrating a potential barrier

    Homework Statement The probability for a particle of energy E<<V0 to penetrate a potential barrier of height V0 and width d is approximately \frac{16E}{V_0}exp\left[\frac{-2d\sqrt{2m(V_0-E)}}{\hbar}\right]. An electron moves between two potential barriers of height V0 and 2v0 that are of widths...
  25. Jianphys17

    Is understanding analytical mechanics essential for studying QM?

    Hi at all. I'm wondered is necessary learn well analytical mechanic ( eg learning The Goldstein's book), for understand and study QM ?
  26. VSayantan

    Free Energy of a Simple Quantum System

    Homework Statement [/B]A quantum system has three energy levels, ##-0.12 ~\rm{eV}##, ##-0.20 ~\rm{eV}## and ##-0.44 ~\rm{eV}## respectively. Three electrons are distributed among these three levels. At a temperature of ##1727^o \rm{C}## the system has total energy ##-0.68 ~\rm{eV}##. What is...
  27. M

    I Measurement Values for z-component of Angular Momentum

    Given a wave function $$\Psi(r,\theta,\phi)=f(r)\sin^2(\theta)(2\cos^2(\phi)-1-2i*\sin(\phi)\cos(\phi))$$ we are trying to find what a measurement of angular momentum of a particle in such wave function would yield. Attempts were made using the integral formula for the Expectation Value over a...
  28. Muthumanimaran

    Finding the probability of 1s electron within a cubical volume

    Homework Statement How to calculate the probability of finding an 1s electron within 1 picometer cubic region located 50pm from the nucleus. Homework Equations The probability of an 1s electron within a spherical volume of radius 'a' from nucleus can be find using the expression...
  29. B

    I Dirac Matrices and the Pythagorean Theorem

    I understand that momentum, rest mass and energy can be put on the sides of a right triangle such that the Pythagorean Theorem suggests E^2=p^2+m^2. I understand that the Dirac equation says E=aypy+axpx+azpz+Bm and that when we square both sides the momentum and mass terms square while the cross...
  30. F

    Problem 2.2 in Nielsen & Chuang - Properties of the Schmidt number

    Hello everyone, I started reading the Nielsen and Chuang book on quantum computation and quantum informations. I got stuck by the last question of Problem 2.2. I got the other problems, but i can't see this one. I guess it's not really difficult, but as i am new in this field, some help will be...
  31. Tspirit

    Quantum Textbook for density matrix and trace?

    I want a QM textbook which introduces detail knowledge of density matrix and trace (i.e. the average), who can recommend one for me? Thank you.
  32. D

    To find the energy eigenvalues in the 3D Hilbert space

    A fictitious system having three degenerate angular momentum states with ##\ell=1## is described by the Hamiltonian \hat H=\alpha (\hat L^2_++\hat L^2_-) where ##\alpha## is some positive constant. How to find the energy eigenvalues of ##\hat H##?
  33. C

    How Are Electric and Magnetic Fields Produced in Electromagnetic Radiations?

    I have encountered a problem that how electric and magnetic fields at perpendicular to each other are produce in electromagnetic radiations?
  34. P

    I Proposal for a peculiar double-slit experiment

    Hi to all who might respond, Consider the 'peculiar' double-slit setup below. There is a double-slit configuration such that the two slits are never open at the same time. That is: whenever the top slit is open for a certain interval, Ts, the bottom slit is closed for the same interval and vice...
  35. D

    I Why and how Dirac cones are "tilted"?

    Given a Weyl Hamiltonian, at rest, \begin{align} H = \vec \sigma \cdot \vec{p} \end{align} A Lorentz boost in the x-direction returns \begin{align} H = \vec\sigma\cdot\vec{p} - \gamma\sigma_0 p_x \end{align} The second term gives rise to a tilt in the "light" cone of graphene. My doubts...
  36. A

    Statistical Physics: Quantum ideal gas

    Homework Statement I'm reading the book about Statistical Physics from W. Nolting, specifically the chapter about quantum gas. In the case of a classical ideal gas, we can get the state functions with the partition functions of the three ensembles (microcanonical, canonical and grand...
  37. noir1993

    Quantum Thoughts on Sakurai's Quantum Mechanics textbook

    I have taken a couple of graduate level courses in quantum mechanics and I have decided to read Sakurai's Modern Quantum Mechanics from cover to cover, partly because I liked his style and I have heard a lot of people talk highly of it. But I recently realized that the second edition of the same...
  38. Danny Boy

    A Is the overlap of coherent states circular symmetric?

    What I am interested in doing, is considering the angular momentum eigenstate for a spin ##1## system: ##|J=1, M=1\rangle = \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}##, forming the coherent state ##|CS \rangle = \begin{bmatrix} 0.5 \\ -\frac{i}{\sqrt{2}} \\ -0.5...
  39. Jianphys17

    Other QM Probability: Is It Critical to Learn?

    Hello everyone ! I would like to know if prob. theory is critical to learning Qm !
  40. The_Inventor

    A David Bohm's Paper on Hidden Variables Theory

    So I've been reading David Bohm's original paper on the alternative interpretation of quantum mechanics in terms of hidden variables, just out of interest. In the 4th section he presents a complex function ψ in terms of R and S, and then (using the time dependent schrodinger equation, TISE)...
  41. P

    A Evaluate this paper on the derivation of the Born rule

    I have encountered this paper "Curie Wiess model of the quantum measurement process". https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0203460 Another work by the same authors is "Understanding quantum measurement from the solution of dynamical models" https://arxiv.org/abs/1107.2138 I am still evaluating the...
  42. B

    I Angular momentum operator commutation relation

    I am reading a proof of why \left[ \hat{L}_x, \hat{L}_y \right ] = i \hbar \hat{L}_z Given a wavefunction \psi, \hat{L}_x, \hat{L}_y \psi = \left( -i\hbar \right)^2 \left( y \frac{\partial}{\partial z} - z \frac {\partial}{\partial y} \right ) \left (z \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x} -...
  43. G

    Invariance under SU(2) in quantum mechanics

    Homework Statement Hi, I'm trying to self-study quantum mechanics, with a special interest for the group-theoretical aspect of it. I found in the internet some lecture notes from Professor Woit that I fouund interesting, so I decided to use them as my guide. Unfortunately I'm now stuck at a...
  44. G

    How Does Quantum Tunneling Affect Electron Confinement in Potential Wells?

    Homework Statement An electron with a total energy of Eo = 4.4 eV is in the potential well shown above. 1) Find the ratio of the wavelength in Region III to the wavelength in Region I. λ III / λI = 1.772) Given that the wave function of the electron vanishes at the left boundary of Region...
  45. K

    A Total derivative of momentum in quantum mechanics

    In quantum mechanics, the velocity field which governs phase space, takes the form \begin{equation} \boldsymbol{\mathcal{w}}=\begin{pmatrix}\partial_tx\\\partial_tp\end{pmatrix} =\frac{1}{W}\begin{pmatrix}J_x\\J_p\end{pmatrix}...
  46. R

    Studying Tips on learning quantum mechanics

    I'm just starting my journey into physics. I am looking for good quantum mechanics books or articles if anyone has some ideas be sure to let me know.
  47. Gean Martins

    I Phase Space and two dimensional Hilbert Space

    I always had this doubt,but i guess i never asked someone. What's the main difference between the Classical phase space, and the two dimensional Hilbert Space ?
  48. L

    Need help finding fermion energies and probabilities

    <Moved from a technical forum, therefore no template> For two non-interacting fermions confined to a 1d box of length L. Construct the antisymmetric wave functions (Slater determinant) and compare ground state energies of two systems, one in the singlet state and the other in the triplet state...
  49. redtree

    A Deriving the Lagrangian from the Hamiltonian operator

    In classical mechanics, the Hamiltonian and the Lagrangian are Legendre transforms of each other. By analogy, in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, the relationship between the Hamiltonian and the Lagrangian seems to be preserved. Where can I find a derivation of the Lagrangian...
  50. V

    How to solve for D and sketch the wavefunctions

    Homework Statement See attached image. The potential in question is, ##-V_0## for ##0<r<a,## and ##0## for ##r\geq a.## Homework Equations $$\sinh(x)=\frac{e^x+e^{-x}}{2}$$ $$\cosh(x)=\frac{e^x-e^{-x}}{2}$$ The Attempt at a Solution I know that the wavefunction for ##r<a## is given by...
Back
Top