How Do You Find the Energies and Wavefunctions for a Particle on a Sphere?

  • Thread starter Thread starter land
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spherical
AI Thread Summary
To find the energies and wavefunctions for a particle on a sphere, the Hamiltonian is given as H = L^2/(2mR^2). The eigenfunctions of Lz are also eigenfunctions of L^2, with L^2 operating on Y^m_l yielding the eigenvalue \hbar^2l(l+1)Y^m_l. The challenge lies in determining the stationary states, starting from one known state and using raising and lowering operators to find others. Despite the straightforward nature of the problem, the individual is struggling to initiate the process and has not found a successful approach after extensive effort. Assistance is sought to clarify the initial steps in solving this quantum mechanics problem.
land
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
OK, I have that a particle of mass m is moving on the surface of a sphere of radius R but is otherwise free. The Hamiltonian is H = L^2/(2mR^2). All I have to do is find the energies and wavefunctions of the stationary states...

this seems like it should be really easy, but I am struggling mightily for some reason. To be honest I don't even know how to get started.. I know eigenfunctions of Lz are also eigenfunctions of L^2. I know L^2 operating on Y^m_l is \hbar^2l(l+1)Y^m_l. I know once I get one stationary state I should be able to get the rest by operating the raising and lowering operators on it. But I just don't know how to get there. :(

Thanks as always for the help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Anybody have a clue how to go about this? I feel like I should be able to do this but I just can't. I've looked at it for hours and don't know how to begin.. nothing I've tried works. sigh. thanks for the help :)
 
Anybody? This should be a straightforward problem, which is what makes it so frustrating :(
 
Thread 'Help with Time-Independent Perturbation Theory "Good" States Proof'
(Disclaimer: this is not a HW question. I am self-studying, and this felt like the type of question I've seen in this forum. If there is somewhere better for me to share this doubt, please let me know and I'll transfer it right away.) I am currently reviewing Chapter 7 of Introduction to QM by Griffiths. I have been stuck for an hour or so trying to understand the last paragraph of this proof (pls check the attached file). It claims that we can express Ψ_{γ}(0) as a linear combination of...
Back
Top