Variational Principle of 3D symmetric harmonic oscillator

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around using a trial wave function, Ψ=e^{-(α)r}, to estimate the ground state energy of a 3D symmetric harmonic oscillator with a central potential V(r)=(1/2)m(ω²)r². The user successfully normalizes the wave function, determining the normalization constant A as A=√(α³/π). However, they encounter an issue calculating the potential energy <V>, obtaining a result that lacks units of energy. Another participant points out that the user did not include the differential volume element dV in their integration, which is crucial for accurate calculations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of proper integration techniques in quantum mechanics.
JordanGo
Messages
72
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Use the following trial function:
\Psi=e^{-(\alpha)r}
to estimate the ground state energy of the central potential:
V(r)=(\frac{1}{2})m(\omega^{2})r^{2}

The Attempt at a Solution



Normalizing the trial wave function (separating the radial and spherical part):
\int(A^{2})e^{-2(\alpha)r}r^{2}=1
where the integral is from 0 to infinity and A is the normalization constant.
Knowing that the spherical normalization will give 4(pi), then the normalization constant is:
A=\sqrt{\frac{\alpha^{3}}{\pi}}
Now finding the hamiltonian:
&lt;H&gt;=&lt;V&gt;+&lt;T&gt;
I will start with <V>, since this is where I find my issue:
&lt;V&gt;=\int(A)e^{-(\alpha)r}(\frac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}r^{2})Ae^{-(\alpha)r}
where the integral is from 0 to infinity.
What I obtain for <V> is:
&lt;V&gt;=\frac{1}{8\pi}m\omega^{2}
which of course doesn't have units of energy...
Can someone point out where I went wrong please?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
<E>=∫ψ*Hψ dv/∫ψ*ψ dv,is the usual way of getting it.why is it bothering you it clearly has the units of energy.
Edit: I have not checked your calculation.
 
<V> does not have units of energy...
But thank you for showing me the integration, I did not use dV, which will cause many problems... thanks!
 
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