Help solving the TISE for the hydrogen atom

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen atom, specifically verifying that the wave function Ψ(r,θ,φ) = Ae(−r/aB) is a valid solution. Participants clarify that the energy associated with this wave function should be constant and negative due to the potential energy term. There are concerns regarding the normalization of the wave function and the calculation of the expectation value of r, with the correct expectation value being 1.5aB. The importance of integrating over all three dimensions in spherical coordinates is emphasized, as well as the need to handle constants correctly during calculations. Overall, the conversation aims to resolve confusion around normalization and integration techniques in quantum mechanics.
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Homework Statement


Hi guys the question is
"Write down the time independent Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen atom,
and show that the wave function
Ψ(r,θ ,φ ) = Ae(−r / aB)
is a solution. (A is a normalization constant and aB is the Bohr radius.) What is
the energy of the state with this wave function?"

I have solved what i think is the right answer, but I'm not to sure what else i have to do to it or if i have the right answer.

Any help would be appreciated

Homework Equations



Heres the lectures online notes
http://www.mark-fox.staff.shef.ac.uk/PHY332/phy332_notes.pdf

The Attempt at a Solution


Here is my attempt at the solution
http://imgur.com/hMZq6
And the paper it was taken from
http://imgur.com/MSG1i
 
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The energy should be a constant (independent of r). Don't forget the contribution from the potential energy term. (Is the potential energy positive or negative?)
 
Of course, sorry that was a silly mistake. Also the potential should be negative. another clumsy mistake. Thanks TSny
I will recalculate now
 
So I'm getting the right answer for the energy now, even though the correct answer appears to have set A to 1 or its just not included in the final solution ?

Also have i normalized the WF correctly. For the next part we have to find the expectation value of r and I am getting an odd answer and feel like its something to do with my normalization constant.

The correct answer should be 1.5aB. Any help would be really appreciated http://i.imgur.com/qgOmA.jpg?1
 
just realized i didn't square a when finding the expectation value of r .

Still it comes 0.5aB, any idea where the 3 comes from ?
 
The constant ##A## should cancel out when finding the energy. In the fourth line of your notes, there should not be any factors of ##A## (because ##A## is already included in ##\psi##).

When you normalize the wavefunction or when you want to find the expectation value of ##r##, you need to integrate over all three dimensions of space rather than just integrate over ##r##. So, you'll also need to integrate over the spherical coordinates ##\theta## and ##\phi##. But that should be easy since the wavefunction doesn't depend on those two variables. [Recall that the volume element in spherical coordinates is ##r^2 \; sin\theta \; dr \; d\theta \; d\phi \;##]
 
Last edited:
Oh yeah thanks. I sorted that first one out.

That makes sense to integrate over all space, how ever now I'm really confused as the integral has a r^3 value in it. it says you can use the identities at the bottom (http://imgur.com/MSG1i) but i swear they don't hold as it doesn't include a scenario for the exponential's exponent having a coefficient, which in out case we clearly do (-2/aB)

Also i don't understand what I am going to do with the value 4∏ as a result of the angular part of the volume element.

Thank you very much for your time btw TSny
 
Try the substitution x = 2r/aB in your integrals. The 4\pi will just be a numerical factor that you will need to include. It will contribute something to the normalization constant A.
 

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