University:
Widener University
Course:
PHYS-121 | Fundamentals of Physics I
Academic year:

2023
Views:

390

Pages:

2
Author:

Bridget Henderson

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Problem Set #1 1. Given [xk , p j ] = (xk p j − p j xk ) = i�δ jk and �� x̂ �L ≡ �r × �p ≡ �� x �� px � ẑ �� z �� pz �� ŷ y py Show that (a) [Li , Li ] = 0 i = x, y, z (b) [Li , L j ] = i�Lk (i, j, k) = (x, y, z) and cyclic permutations. 2. Consider the Hamiltonian matrix constructed in the {φ} basis. ⎛ ⎞ 0 ⎟⎟⎟ ⎜⎜⎜−α β ⎟⎟⎟ ⎜⎜⎜ H = ⎜⎜ β −α β ⎟⎟ ⎠ ⎝ 0 β 2α ⎛ ⎞ ⎜⎜⎜φ1 ⎟⎟⎟ ⎜⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎟ φ = ⎜⎜φ2 ⎟⎟ ⎝ ⎠ φ3 α, β are real numbers. (a) Give eigenvalues, their corresponding eigenvectors, and the unitary transformation which brings H to diagonal form (U† HU)i j = Eδi j . (HINT: Use trigonometric form of solution for cubic equation.) (b) Can the eigenvalues be evenly spaced for clever choice of α, β? (c) Can two of the eigenvalues ever be degenerate for nonzero β? � � 3. Carry out the angular momentum algebra and show explicitly that ��z |j x |��z � = 0, and that J2x − �J x �2 � 0. 4. (a) Given the matrix elements of the coordinate x for a harmonic oscillator: � � �� v|x|v = ψ∗v xψv� dx = 0 unless v� = v ± 1 and �v + 1|x|v� = (2β)−1/2 (v + 1)1/2 �v − 1|x|v� = (2β)−1/2 (v)1/2 where β = 4π2 mω/h, and ω = 21π [k/µ]1/2 is the vibrational harmonic frequency. Evaluate the nonzero matrix elements of x2 , x3 , and x4 ; that is, evaluate the integrals � � r �� v|x |v = ψv xr ψv� dx for r = 2, 3, and 4 (without actually doing the explicit integrals, of course!). (b) From the results of part a, evaluate the average values of x, x2 , x3 , and x4 in the vth vibrational state. Is it true that x2 = (x)2 , or that x4 = (x2 )2 ? What conclusions can you draw about the results of a measurement of x in the vth vibrational state?