DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MADRAS

PH5100 Quantum Mechanics - 1
Assignment 1(30.7.2014)

To be discussed on: 7.8.2014

One Dimensional Problems in Quantum Mechanics

1. At time t = 0 the state of a free particle is specified by a wavefunction
x2

(x, 0) = Ae a2 +ik0 x . Find the factor A and the region where the particle is localized. Determine the probabilty current density J. Find the
fourier transform of the wavefunction and the width of the wavepacket
in k-space.
2. Normalize the wavefunction = e|x| sinx.
d
3. Find the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues for sin d

4. Find the wavefunction and the allowed energy levels for a particle in a
potential field V(x) of the form
V (x) = 0 for 0 x a, 0 y b, 0 z c,
= for x < 0, x > a, y < 0, y > b, z < 0, z > c
5. Consider the one-dimensional time-independent Schrodinger equation
for some arbitrary potential V(x). Prove that if a solution (x) has
the property that (x) 0 as x , then the solution must be
non-degenrate and therefore real, apart from a possible overall phase
factor.
6. Consider the one-dimensional problem of a particle of mass m in a potential
V = , x < 0;
V = 0, 0 x a;
V = V0 , x > a.
(a) Show that the bound
q state energies ( E < V0 ) are given by the equa

= V0EE . (b) Without solving any further, sketch the

tion tan 2mEa
~
ground state wavefunction.
1

7. A particle of mass m moves non-relativistically in one dimension in a

potential given by V (x) = a(x). The particle is bound. Find the
value of x0 such that the probability of finding the particle |x| < x0 is
exactly equal to 1/2.
8. A particle of mass m moving in one dimension is confined to the region
0 < x < L by an infinite square well potential. In addition, the particle
experiences a delta function potential V = (x L/2). Find the
transcendental equation for the energy eigenvalues E in terms of the
mass m, the potential strength , and the size L of the system.
9. A particle, moving in one dimension, has a ground state function (not
4 x 4

normalized and do not normalize) given by 0 (x) = e 4 (Where

2 2
is a real constant) belonging to the energy eigenvalue E0 = ~ m .
Determine the potential in which the particle moves.
10. A particle moves in a potential, in one dimension, of the form
V(x) = if x2 > a2 else V(x) = (x), where > 0. For sufficiently
large , calculate the time required for the particle to tunnel from being
in the ground state of the well extending from x = -a to x = 0 to the
ground state of the well extending from x=0 to x=a.