AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Engineering
Engineering Physics & Mathematics
Department

Modern Physics & Quantum Prof. Wael Fikry

Mechanics Dr. Michael Gad
Problem Set 4 – Model Answer
Quantum Mechanics
Constants in SI units: Electron charge (e) = 1.6×10-19, Electron rest mass (mo) = 9.1×10-31,
Speed of light = 3×108, Planck’s constant (h) = 6.62×10-34
Part I: State whether the following statements are true or false, and if false state the reason.
Statement
T or F If wrong, write the reason or the correction below the statement
number
1 T The wave function (
) must be a continuous function.
The function (
  .   

particle between (  ) and (  ∞), where () represents the position of the
) can represent a proper wave function of a

particle.
2 F

As  → ∞,  → ∞.
Answer:

This means that the wave function cannot be normalized ( ||   1)

Schrödinger’s equation applies for tiny particles moving with (speed > 0.2c).
3 F
This equation applies for only low speed particles (  0.1 ).
Answer:

The number of states (degeneracy) at the energy level E123 for a 3D potential
energy box is 3.
4 F
Answer:
The states with this energy are: (1,2,3), (1,3,2), (2,1,3), (2,3,1), (3,1,2), (3,2,1)
 6 states are degenerate.
If the wave function of particles is ψ( x) = A e−kx where A and k are real positive
constants, the associated probability current density is A2v where v is the particles
velocity.
5 F
Answer:
ℏ #$ #$
Here,    ∗    " ∗ & ∗ '  0
 ! #% #%

An electron of energy (E) impinges a potential barrier of potential energy (U>E)

6 T and width (L). The probability that the electron gets to the other side of the barrier
is zero according to classical physics.
 The continuity equation means that the number of stored particles in a certain
7 T volume increases with time, if the flow rate of particles into this volume is greater
than the flow rate out.

Part II: Choose the BEST answer in the following. Only one answer is allowed.
For the numerical problems, write the steps of the solution. The answer will not be evaluated
unless the steps are shown.

Question
Choice Question
number
The wave function of a particle ():
(a) can be negative.
(b) equals the wavelength of the matter wave.
1 A
(c) can be discontinuous.
(d) has no relation with momentum of the particle.
(e) can have two different values at the same position.
The probability density function (|| ) versus the
position () for an electron is approximated by the |
| F 

.
electrons exist in the region (&2)* ≤  ≤ 2)*), what
relation shown in the next figure. If one thousand

is the number of electrons in the region (&1)* ≤  ≤

2)*)?

 F 
(a) 250 (b) 125 (c) 500 -2 -1 1 2
(d) 750 (e) 875
2 E

Answer:

The probability in the specified region = the total area – the area of the triangle between  
The probability is equal to the area under the curve.

&1 )* and   &2 )* = 0.5 × 2)* × 0.5 )* . × 2 & 0.5 × 1 )* × 0.25 )* .  0.875
Here we used (|Ψ&1)*|  0.25 )* . )
The number of electrons in the region &2)* ≤  ≤ &1)* is then 1000 × 0.875 
875 23245)6.
The wave function of a particle in a one-dimensional infinite well of width (2 )*) is given
by   768)9 , where (x) is given in ()*) . If the particle energy is 98 eV, the energy of
the particle in the ground state is:
(a) 24.5 eV (b) 392 eV (c) 196 eV (d) zero (e) 49 eV

Answer:

:;
In an infinite well,   768) " '. This means that in this case we have  
3 A
<
:
768) " 9' and consequently ()  2). So, the energy at this level is =  98 2?

BC .D
In the ground state ()  1. Since =  ) 9  ℏ /2*A , then:  → =. 
BD D
0.25 × =  24.5 2?

4 E The concept of energy quantization of a particle in a box follows from:

 (a) the wave nature of the particle. (b) the confinement of the particle.
(c) the zero energy level. (d) the degeneracy
(e) answers (a) and (b) (f) answers (a) and (c)
(g) answers (c) and (d) (h) answers (a), (b), (c) and (d)
A beam of electrons is incident on a barrier of 5eV height and 0.1 nm width. If 70% of the
electrons are reflected, the energy of an electron in this beam should be:
(a) zero (b) 0.02 eV (c) 1.32 eV (d) 2.3 eV (e) 3.6 eV

A  0.1 × 10 G *;
Answer:

3)0.3
I2 J<
 1 & 0.7  0.3 → L  &  6 × 10G * .
5 E 2A
But:
2* 2 × 9.1 × 10 Q.
L  N  OP & =  → 5 × 1.6 × 10 .G
& =   6 × 10G 
ℏ R.RQ×.STUV 
" ; '
2.2 × 10 .G
→ OP & =  2.2 × 10 .G
W →5&=  2? → =  3.6 2?
1.6 × 10 .G

Part III: Problems

1) Find the expectation value  x of the position and the expectation value  p  of the momentum of a particle
trapped in an infinite box that is L wide for a level (n). Comment on your results.
Solution:

2 nπ x
For an infinite well: ψ n = ψ n * = sin
L L

∞
2L nπ x 1L  2 nπ x 
x =  ψ *x ψ dx =  x sin 2 dx =  x 1 − cos L  dx
−∞ L0 L L0
1 
L
2 nπ x 
= 
L 0 x − x cos
L  dx
L
1  x 2 x sin(2nπ x / L ) cos(2 nπ x / L )  L
= − − =
L  2 2 nπ / L (2 nπ / L )  0 2
2

Re member : UdV = UV − V dU

This result means that the average position of the particle is the middle of the
box for any level n (in all quantum states). There is no conflict with the fact
thatψψ*or ψ = 0 at L/2 in the n = 2, 4, 6, . . . states because ⟨⟩ is an average,
2

2
not a probability, and it reflects the symmetry of ψ about the middle of the
box.
 ∞ L L
ℏ ∂  ℏ 2 nπ nπ x nπ x ℏ 2 nπ L nπ x nπ x
p = ψ  *
ψ dx = i L L  sin L cos L dx = i L L nπ  sin L d (sin L )
−∞  i ∂x 0 0
L

=
ℏ2 L 1
sin 2 nπ x  =
ℏ L
sin 2 nπ − sin 2 0 = 0
i L nπ 2  L  0 iL nπ

The particle is moving back and forth, and so its average momentum for any (n) is ZERO.

ℏ
2) Show that the expectation values  px  and  xp  are related by px − xp = . This result is described by
i
saying that p and x do not commute and it is intimately related to the uncertainty principle.

Solution:
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

( x ψ ) dx =  ψ *  x 
ℏ ∂ ℏ ∂ψ ℏ ∂ψ ℏ ℏ ∂ψ ℏ
px =  ψ *
+ ψ  dx =  ψ *x dx +  ψ *ψ dx =  ψ *x dx +
−∞
i ∂x −∞
i  ∂x  i −∞ ∂x i −∞ i −∞ ∂x i

∞ ∞
ℏ ∂ ℏ ∂ψ
xp =  ψ *x (ψ ) dx =  ψ *x dx
−∞
i ∂x i −∞ ∂x

ℏ
px − xp =
i
px : means the average value of the measurement of (x) followed by the measurement of (p).
xp : means the average value of the measurement of (p) followed by the measurement of (x).
ℏ
Here, there is a difference between the two results of measurements given by
i
This means that the result from the measurement of (x) then (p) is not the same as the result from the measurement
of (p) then (x). So, each measurement affects the next one. The relation between the measurements reflects the
uncertainty principle which states that one cannot determine both (x) and (p) with zero error of each at the same
measurement process.

3) A particle of mass m moves in a potential well of length 2L. Its potential energy is infinite for x < –L and
for x > +L. Inside the region –L < x <L, its potential energy is given by:
−ℏ2 x2
U ( x) =
mL ( L2 − x 2 )
2

In addition, the particle is in a stationary state that is described by the wave function ψ(x) = A(1 – x2/L2) for
–L <x < +L, and by ψ(x) = 0 elsewhere.
(a) Determine the energy of the particle in terms of ħ, m, and L.
(b) Show that A = (15/16L)1/2.
(c) Determine the probability that the particle is located between x = –L/3 and x = +L/3.

Solution:
  x 2  dψ 2A x d 2ψ 2A
(a) ψ ( x ) = A 1 − 2  ; =− 2 ; 2
=− 2
 L  dx L dx L

d 2ψ 2m
Schrödinger equation: 2
= − 2 ( E − U )ψ
dx ℏ
2m ℏ2
−2 A / L = − 2 ( E − U ) A (1 − x / L ) → E − U =
2 2 2

ℏ m ( L2 − x 2 )
ℏ2 −ℏ2x 2 ℏ2 ℏ 2 (1 − x 2 / L2 ) ℏ2
E =U + = + = =
m ( L2 − x 2 ) mL2 ( L2 − x 2 ) m ( L2 − x 2 ) m ( L2 − x 2 ) mL2

2
2
x2   2x 2 x 4 
L L
(b) Normalization:  A 1 − 2  dx = A 2  1 − 2 + 4 dx = 1
−L  L  −L  L L 
L
 2x 3 x 5   2 L 2 L  16 L  15
A x − 2 + 4  = A 2  L − L + + L − L +  = A 2 
2
 =1  A=
 3L 5L  − L  3 5 3 5  15  16L
L 3 L 3 L 3
15  2x 2 x 4  15  2x 3 x 5  30  L 2L L  47
(c) P =  ψ dx = 2
  1 − 2
+ 4 
dx =  x − 2
+ 5 =  3 − 81 + 1 215  = 81 = 0.580
−L 3
16 L −L 3 
L L  16L  3L 5L  − L 3 16 L  

4) In the next figure, the potential well and the corresponding wave
function are shown Explain why the wavelength and amplitude of ψ
vary as they do.

Solution:
The wave function must vanish at x = 0, where U → ∞.
• As the potential energy increases with x, the particle's kinetic energy and momentum must decrease, and hence,
the wavelength increases.
• The amplitude increases as the wavelength increases because a larger wavelength means a smaller momentum or
a smaller KE, and the particle is more likely to be found where it is slower (spends there a longer time).
• The wave function vanishes at x = L, where U → ∞.

5) Assume that \  and \  are solutions to the one-dimensional time-independent Schrodinger wave
equation with the same energy E. Show that Z\ + \\ is a solution of the Schrodinger’s equation in
general for any values of the constants A and B.

Solution:
ℏ 2 d 2ψ 1 ℏ 2 d 2ψ 2
ψ 1 and ψ 2 are solutions with energy E means that + ( E − U )ψ 1 = 0 and + ( E − U )ψ 2 = 0
2 m dx 2 2m dx 2
If ψ = A ψ 1 + B ψ 2 , then Schrödinger’s equation becomes:
−ℏ2 d 2
( Aψ1 + Bψ 2 ) + U ( Aψ1 + Bψ 2 ) = E ( Aψ1 + Bψ 2 )
2m dx 2
 ℏ 2 d 2ψ1   ℏ 2 d 2ψ2 
or A  − 2
+ Uψ 1 − Eψ1 + B − 2
+ Uψ 2 − Eψ 2  = 0.
 2m dx   2m dx 
But each of ψ 1 and ψ 2 satisfy Schrödinger’s equation separately so the equation still holds true, for any A or B.
If ψ 1 and ψ 2 are solutions of the Schrodinger equation for different energies, then ψ = Aψ 1 + Bψ 2 is not a solution.

6) A particle has a wave function

 2 −x a
 e for x > 0
ψ ( x) =  a
0 for x < 0


(a) Find the probability density function for this particle.

(b) Find the probability that the particle will be at any point where x < 0.
(c) Show that ψ is normalized, and then find the probability that the particle will be found between x = 0 and
x = a.

Solution:
 2 −x
 e a
for x > 0
(a) ψ ( x ) =  a
0 for x < 0


2
ψ 2 ( x ) = e −2x a ; x>0
2
ψ ( x ) = 0; x < 0 and
a
0 0
2
(b) Prob ( x < 0 ) =  ψ ( x ) dx =
−∞
 ( 0) dx = 0
−∞
∞ ∞
2
 ψ ( x ) dx =  ψ dx = 1
2
(c) Normalization :
−∞ 0

∞
2 a ∞
→    e −2 x adx = − e −2 x = − (e −∞ − 1) = 1
0
a 0

a
2
a
2 a a
Prob ( 0 < x < a ) =  ψ dx =    e −2 x adx = −e −2 x = 1 − e −2 = 0.865
0a 
0
0

2
L2
7) In a region of space, a particle with zero total energy has a wave function ψ ( x) = Axe − x
(a) Sketch ψ(x) and the probability density function.
(b) What is the most probable location at which to find the particle?
(c) Find the potential energy U as a function of x.
(d) Make a sketch of U(x) versus x.
(e) Find (A) in terms of (L).
(f) Calculate  x and  x 2  .
+∞ +∞ +∞
1 π 1 3 π
  ze
2 2
4 − az 2
[Hint: z 2e − az dz = & z 3e− az dz = & dz = ]
0
4 a3 0
2a 2 0
8 a5
Solution:

(a) ψ ψψ*

2
2 2 −2 x 2 L 2
d (ψ ) 2
L2  4x 3 
(b) ψ = ψ ( x )ψ ( x ) = A x e * 2
 = A 2e −2 x  2 x − =0
dx  L2 
 4x 3  L
  2x − 2  = 0  x = ±
 L  2

The other solution (  0) makes ( ψ

2
= 0 ), which is the position with the smallest probability.

(c) Setting the total energy E equal to zero and rearranging the Schrödinger equation to isolate the potential energy
function gives:
 ℏ 2  1 d 2ψ
U (x ) =   2
 2m  ψ dx
2
L2 dψ  2x 2  2 L2 d 2ψ  4 x 3 6x  −x 2 L2
ψ ( x ) = A xe − x  = A 1 − 2 e − x  = A  4 − 2 e
dx  L  dx 2  L L 
ℏ 2  4x 2 
U (x ) = 2  2
− 6
2 mL  L 

(d) See the next figure

(e) Normalization:
∞ ∞ ∞

 ψ ψ dx = 1 →  dx = 2  A 2 x 2e −2 x
2
L2 2
L2
*
A 2 x 2e −2 x dx integrand is an even function
−∞ −∞ 0

1 π 21.25
= 2A 2 ( ) = 1 → A =
4 (2 / L 2 ) 3 π 0.25 L1.5 -5 0 5

2.5

∞ ∞
(f) x =  ψ *x ψ dx = A
2
L2
2
x 3e −2 x dx = 0 integrand is an odd function 0

−∞ −∞

-2.5
-5 0 5
 ∞ ∞
=  ψ x ψ dx = A
2
L2
x 2 * 2 2
x 4e −2 x dx integrand is an even function
−∞ −∞
∞
3 π 3 5 2 2.5
= 2  A 2 x 4e −2 x
2
L2 2 2.5
dx = 2 × A = 2 × L π / 2 × = 0.75L2
0
8 (2 / L2 )5 8 π 0.5L3

] > _` and that particles incident from the +x direction are traveling in
8) For the step potential function, shown in the next figure, assume that

the -x direction.
(a) Write the wave solutions for each region.
(b) Derive expressions for the transmission and reflection coefficients.

Solution:

= & OP b  0 
#$a  #$a
+ + c. b  0;
#% D ℏD #% D
Right side:

c.  d = & OP 

ℏD

b  . +   72 !eC %
+ f2 !eC%

.  72 !eC% represents the incident wave (travelling from   ∞ toward   0)

Where:

  f2 !eC % represents the reflected wave (travelling from   0 toward   ∞)

= & h2i5j  0 
#$g  #$g 
Left side: #% D
+ ℏD #% D
+ c j  0; c  d ℏD =

j  Q + k  l2 !eD %
+ m2 !eD %

Q  l2 !eD% represents the transmitted wave (travelling from   0 toward   &∞)

Where:

k  m2 !eD % represents the reflected wave (travelling from   &∞ toward   0)

the region   0  m  0
But physically, there is no reason for reflection in the left region since there is no change of the potential energy in

Continuity of () at (  0): 7 + f  l  (1)

Boundary conditions:
e
Continuity of (/ ) at (  0): 7 & f  eD l  (2)
C
n eC q eC eD
 
o eC peD o eC ∓eD
Then: and

ℏ #$ #$∗
The probability current density:    !
 ∗ #% &  #%


oD ℏeC qD ℏeC n D ℏeD

Then: !:s!#t:u  ; btvjtsut#  ; ubw:x !uut# 

za{|g{}~{ qD eC eD 
The reflection coefficient: y   " '
z€}€{~ oD eC peD
 z~a‚ƒ„€~~{ n D eD keC eD
The transmission coefficient: I    e
z€}€{~ oD eC C peD 
D

Note that if compared to the case with the case where the incident electrons arrive from the left side (lecture notes),

Here the value of c. is similar to that of c in the lecture case study, and vice versa.
there is no fundamental difference in the final answer.

But this does not affect the final answer because of the square in the (R) expression [c. & c  and the
multiplication [c. c ] in the (T) expression.
In other words, c. and c are interchangeable in these expressions so it does not matter which side of the barrier
represents the incident wave and which represents the transmitted wave.

9) An electron is found in region II of the semi-infinite potential well as shown in the next figure. If the
electron energy (E) is less than the potential energy Uo, the wave functions in regions I and II are given as:
 Be k1 x + Ce − k1 x x<0 U(x) ∞
ψ =
 A sin ( k 2 x + ϕ ) 0< x< L Region I Region III

2m(U o − E ) 2mE Region II

Where k1 = 2
and k 2 = Uo
ℏ ℏ2 E
(a) Which of constants B or C is zero and why ? What is the wave x
0 L
function in region III?
(b) Apply the boundary conditions to find numerical values for

and ]  _` /.
the angle φ and the width L if the given first energy level E is 1 eV

(c) Sketch the wave function under the conditions mentioned in (b).

Solution:
(a) C = 0 (when x → -∞ the term Ce − k 1x should be zero) & ψIII = 0

(b) Applying the boundary condition at x = 0

Continuity of (ψ ): B = A sin (ϕ )
Continuity of ( d ψ / dx ): k 1B = Ak 2 cos (ϕ )
π
∴ tan ϕ = 1 → ϕ =
4
Applying the boundary condition at x = L
Continuity of (ψ ): A sin ( k 2 L + ϕ ) = 0 → k 2 L + ϕ = π ;( n = 1)

2m
k1 = (U o − E ) = 5.14 × 109 = k 2 (note E=0.5U o )
ℏ2
3π
L= = 4.6 × 10−10 m
4k 2


(c)

x
L


10) The state of a particle of mass ( ) in one dimension is
described approximately by the following quantum wave
function:

C (ax − x 2 ) 0<x <a

ψ (x ) = 
 ‘ 
0 elsewhere
‘

Where (C) is a positive constant.

a
2 a n +5
A useful integral: ∫ x n (ax − x 2 ) 2 dx =
0 (n + 3)( n + 4)( n + 5)

(a) Sketch (
) using the next graph.

(b) Find the value of the constant (C) in terms of (a).
(c) Find the most probable location for this particle.
(d) Calculate the average value of the position <p>. Comment on your result.
(e) Calculate the value of the average of the square of the momentum <p2>.

Solution:

(a) See the next figure.

’‘
(b) Normalization
S ||   1 → S l  † &      1
w w
“
w‡ QS
Then: Q×k׈ l   1 → l  dw‡
#|$|D #$ #$ w
#%
 2 #%  0 → #%
0→ 
‘
(c)
w ℏ #  ‘ 
(d)  ‰ >  S  ∗ ! #%   
w
ℏ  ℏ † &    w
 ‰ >  Š l † &    l † &      l  |S  0
S 8  8 2
w
The matter wave is symmetric about (  ) which means that the motion in both directions are equi-probable and

the average momentum is hence equal to zero.
(e)  ‰ >  S l † &    ! #% ! #% l † &      2ℏ l  S † &   
w ℏ # ℏ # w

†   Q w
→ ‰ > 2ℏ l  ‹ & Œ |S  10ℏ /†
2 3

11) A particle with energy E < U1 < Uo exists inside the potential well _
shown in the next figure.
_`
√ ]  _` ]  _ ]
 ; `  ;   _
ℏ ℏ ℏ
Let:
]
II
I

III
0 b
(a) Will the particle penetrate more in the region x < 0 or in the
region x>b? Explain.
(b) Find the wave functions of the particle in the three regions.
(c) State the equations for the boundary conditions.
 ` p 
(d) By applying the boundary conditions to the wave functions, show that: •–—˜ 
 ` 

Solution:

(a) In region (III), the potential barrier is lower, then the penetration is more.
(b)

Region (I) where   0: ™  72 š› %

Region (II) where 0    œ : ™™  l68)c + m56c
Region (III) where  > œ: ™™™  f2 šC%

(c) At (  0):
7  m → 1
P 7  lc → 2
At (  œ):
l68)cœ + m56cœ  f2 šC ž → 3
lc56cœ & mc68)cœ  &. f2 šC ž → 4

(d) Using (3) in (4): lc56cœ & mc68)cœ  &. l68)cœ + m56cœ → 4†)cœ 
nepšC Ÿ
Ÿe šC n
š› opšC o eš›pšC 
Using (1) and (2): 4†)cœ  C ›¡

oe e D . š› šC 
¢
 Part III: MATLAB exercise (Optional)

Let the transmission through a potential barrier, of height (_) and width (£), be given by (¤  ¥£
), where
(¥  d

_ & ] and (]) is the energy of the incident electron. Plot the relation (¤ & £) using:
ℏ
] ¦
£ §F  .  F , £ ‘  . F
Draw the relation with _   ¦, then with _  “ ¦
Which has a stronger effect on the tunneling transmission, £ or _? Why?

Solution:
% Tunneling transmission coefficient
% All dimensions are in SI units.
clear all; close all;
q=1.6*1e-19; % Electron charge in C
m=9.1*1e-31; % Electron mass in kg
h=6.62e-34; % Planck's constant in J.s
E=1*q; % Electron Energy in J
U=[2:2:4]*q; % Potential energy in J
L=[0.1:0.01:0.5]*1e-9; % Width of the barrier in m
for i=1:length(U)
gamma = sqrt(2*m/(h/2/pi)^2*(U(i)-E));
T=exp(-2*gamma*L);
T_matrix(i,:)=T;
end
plot(L*1e9,T_matrix)
grid on
xlabel('Width of the barrier in (nm)');
ylabel('Transmission coefficient');
title('The transmission coefficient versus the barrier width for
U=2eV (blue) and 4eV (green)')

Comment:
When the width of the barrier doubles (for
example from 0.1nm to 0.2nm), while the
barrier height is constant (for example U=2eV),
the transmission drops as follows:
L=0.1nm  T= 0.36;
L=0.2nm T=0.13

When the barrier height doubles (from 2eV to

4eV, while the width is constant (for example
L=0.1nm), the transmission drops as follows:
U=2eV  T= 0.36;
U=4eV T=0.17

The effect of the barrier width is stronger than its height. This is very clear from the equation I  2 J<