How Does a Massive Photon Affect Hydrogen Atom Energy Levels?

In summary, the conversation discusses the potential energy of an electron in a hydrogen atom, specifically how it would be affected if the photon had a tiny mass. It is assumed that the distance scale is much larger than the Bohr radius, allowing the Coulomb interaction to be treated as a perturbation. The conversation then proposes an intuitive guess as to how the ground state energy would be shifted and proceeds to calculate the energy shift using the given equations.
  • #1
Warda Anis
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Homework Statement


The photon is normally assumed to have zero rest mass. If the photon did have a tiny mass, this would alter the potential energy the electron feels in the hydrogen atom (due to the Coulomb interaction with the proton). The potential then becomes yukawa potential.
upload_2018-3-26_17-36-18.png

V(r)=-e^2/4pi*epsilon (exp(-r/r0))/r
Assume that this distance scale r0 >> a0, where a0 is the Bohr radius. This implies that the substitution of Coulomb interaction by the new potential can be treated as a perturbation.
a) Make an intuitive guess which way the ground state energy will be shifted.
b) Calculate the energy shift for the hydrogen atom ground state. Verify that the sign agrees with the guess in part (a).

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


So I know that energy shift is,
ΔEo=λ<Ψo|H'|Ψo>
where,
Ψo=sqrt(Z^3/π)exp(-Zr)
H'= − e^2/(4πε) exp (−r/ro)
Could anyone please help me with the second part of the question? How should I proceed from here?
 

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  • #2
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

Please show all of the work you have done so far on this problem. We cannot help you if you leave the "Attempt at the Solution" part of the Template blank. Thank you.

EDIT -- I see you gone back and added more information in your OP. Thank you. :smile:
 
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FAQ: How Does a Massive Photon Affect Hydrogen Atom Energy Levels?

1. What is the Yukawa potential?

The Yukawa potential, also known as the screened Coulomb potential, is a mathematical function used to describe the attractive or repulsive force between two particles due to their electric charge. It is given by the formula V(r) = Q1Q2e^(-r/λ)/4πεr, where Q1 and Q2 are the charges of the two particles, r is the distance between them, λ is a constant known as the screening length, and ε is the permittivity of free space.

2. What is perturbation theory?

Perturbation theory is a mathematical method used to approximate solutions to complex problems by breaking them down into simpler, solvable parts. It is especially useful in quantum mechanics for describing the behavior of systems that cannot be solved exactly.

3. How is perturbation theory used for the Yukawa potential?

In the context of the Yukawa potential, perturbation theory is used to calculate the corrections to the potential energy due to small changes or perturbations in the system. This allows us to better understand the behavior of particles interacting through the Yukawa potential.

4. What are the advantages of using perturbation theory for the Yukawa potential?

One of the main advantages of using perturbation theory for the Yukawa potential is that it allows for the calculation of approximate solutions to problems that cannot be solved exactly. This is particularly useful in cases where the interactions between particles are complex and difficult to model without simplifications.

5. Are there any limitations to using perturbation theory for the Yukawa potential?

While perturbation theory is a powerful tool for approximating solutions, it does have its limitations. In the case of the Yukawa potential, perturbation theory may not be accurate for systems with strong interactions or for large perturbations. In these cases, more advanced mathematical methods may be necessary to accurately describe the system.

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