Wavefunction obeying Schrodinger equation.

In summary, the conversation discusses a question involving an integral identity and the use of the Schrodinger equation to differentiate a wavefunction. The person asking for help has made some errors and is seeking clarification on how to solve the problem correctly.
  • #1
hhhmortal
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Homework Statement



I've attached my past paper question, which contains the relevant integral identity too.


The Attempt at a Solution



This question is relatively simple, yet I can't seem to complete it.

I used the schrodinger equation which is:

-(ħ²/2m)[tex]\nabla^2[/tex]u + Vu = Eu

I then used the identity given in the question, to differentiate the wavefunction w.r.t to r twice. (In this part I had to differentiate by products since there was another factor of r).

Differentiating the wavefunction twice gave me:

(Z²/a²).r.u

When I put this into the schrodinger equation above, knowing V and E, I don't get the correct answer.
 
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  • #2
I forgot to say, that it's the first part of the question which I'm having trouble with.Thanks.
 

Attachments

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  • #3
Can't tell you where you go wrong since you barely show any work, but I can tell you two things.

1) Your Schrodinger equation is incorrect.

2) You differentiated the wave function twice incorrectly.
 
  • #4
I've fixed that now. I differentiated the wavefunction using the product rule:

using the identity given in the question, I had:

d²/dr²[ r. exp(-Zr/a)] Is this what I need to differentiate?
 
  • #5
Out of interest, how would one go about solving the third part of this question?
 

FAQ: Wavefunction obeying Schrodinger equation.

What is the Schrodinger equation?

The Schrodinger equation is a mathematical equation that describes how the wavefunction of a quantum system evolves over time. It was developed by Austrian physicist Erwin Schrodinger in 1926 and is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics.

What is a wavefunction?

A wavefunction is a mathematical representation of a quantum system that describes its possible states and the probabilities of those states occurring. It is a complex-valued function that contains all the information about the system.

How does the Schrodinger equation relate to the wavefunction?

The Schrodinger equation governs the behavior of the wavefunction. It is a differential equation that describes how the wavefunction changes over time, and its solutions give us information about the possible states of the system.

Why is it important for the wavefunction to obey the Schrodinger equation?

The Schrodinger equation is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics, and it allows us to make predictions about the behavior of quantum systems. If the wavefunction does not obey this equation, it means that our understanding of the system is incorrect.

Are there any limitations to the Schrodinger equation?

The Schrodinger equation is a powerful tool for understanding quantum systems, but it has its limitations. It does not take into account relativistic effects and cannot fully describe systems with multiple particles. In these cases, more advanced equations, such as the Dirac equation, are necessary.

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