Visualization of Wave Functions on a Ring
- face Time Evolution Refresher (Mini-Lecture)
face Lecture
30 min.
Time Evolution Refresher (Mini-Lecture)
Central Forces 2023 (3 years) The instructor gives a brief lecture about time dependence of energy eigenstates (e.g. McIntyre, 3.1). Notes for the students are attached. - group Working with Representations on the Ring
group Small Group Activity
30 min.
Working with Representations on the Ring
Central Forces 2023 (3 years) - assignment Normalization of Quantum States
assignment Homework
Normalization of Quantum States
Central Forces 2023 (3 years) Show that if a linear combination of ring energy eigenstates is normalized, then the coefficients must satisfy \begin{equation} \sum_{m=-\infty}^{\infty} \vert c_m\vert^2=1 \end{equation} - group Travelling wave solution
group Small Group Activity
30 min.
Travelling wave solution
Contemporary Challenges 2022 (4 years) Students work in a small group to write down an equation for a travelling wave. - group Superposition States for a Particle on a Ring
group Small Group Activity
30 min.
Superposition States for a Particle on a Ring
central forces quantum mechanics eigenstates eigenvalues quantum measurements angular momentum hermitian operators probability superposition
Students calculate probabilities for a particle on a ring whose wavefunction is not easily separated into eigenstates by inspection. To find the energy, angular momentum, and position probabilities, students perform integrations with the wavefunction or decompose the wavefunction into a superposition of eigenfunctions. - assignment Effective Potentials: Graphical Version
assignment Homework
Effective Potentials: Graphical Version
Central Forces 2023 (2 years)Consider a mass \(\mu\) in the potential shown in the graph below. You give the mass a push so that its initial angular momentum is \(\ell\ne 0\) for a given fixed value of \(\ell\).
- Give the definition of a central force system and briefly explain why this situation qualifies.
- Make a sketch of the graph of the effective potential for this situation.
- How should you push the puck to establish a circular orbit? (i.e. Characterize the initial position, direction of push, and strength of the push. You do NOT need to solve any equations.)
- BRIEFLY discuss the possible orbit shapes that can arise from this effective potential. Include a discussion of whether the orbits are open or closed, bound or unbound, etc. Make sure that you refer to your sketch of the effective potential in your discussions, mark any points of physical significance on the sketch, and describe the range of parameters relevant to each type of orbit. Include a discussion of the role of the total energy of the orbit.
- group Visualizing Plane Waves
group Small Group Activity
60 min.
Visualizing Plane Waves
Each small group of 3-4 students is given a white board or piece of paper with a square grid of points on it.
Each group is given a different two-dimensional vector \(\vec{k}\) and is asked to calculate the value of \(\vec{k} \cdot \vec {r}\) for each point on the grid and to draw the set of points with constant value of \(\vec{k} \cdot \vec{r}\) using rainbow colors to indicate increasing value.
- keyboard Position operator
keyboard Computational Activity
120 min.
Position operator
Computational Physics Lab II 2022quantum mechanics operator matrix element particle in a box eigenfunction
Students find matrix elements of the position operator \(\hat x\) in a sinusoidal basis. This allows them to express this operator as a matrix, which they can then numerically diagonalize and visualize the eigenfunctions. - keyboard Kinetic energy
keyboard Computational Activity
120 min.
Kinetic energy
Computational Physics Lab II 2022finite difference hamiltonian quantum mechanics particle in a box eigenfunctions
Students implement a finite-difference approximation for the kinetic energy operator as a matrix, and then usenumpyto solve for eigenvalues and eigenstates, which they visualize. - assignment Ring Function
assignment Homework
Ring Function
Central Forces 2023 (3 years) Consider the normalized wavefunction \(\Phi\left(\phi\right)\) for a quantum mechanical particle of mass \(\mu\) constrained to move on a circle of radius \(r_0\), given by: \begin{equation} \Phi\left(\phi\right)= \frac{N}{2+\cos(3\phi)} \end{equation} where \(N\) is the normalization constant.Find \(N\).
- Plot this wave function.
- Plot the probability density.
- Find the probability that if you measured \(L_z\) you would get \(3\hbar\).
- What is the expectation value of \(L_z\) in this state?
-
Central Forces 2023 (3 years)
Using either this
Geogebra applet
or this
Mathematica notebook, explore the wave functions on a ring. (Note: The Geogebra applet may be a little easier to use and understand and is accessible if you don't have access to Mathematica, but it is more limited in the wave functions that you can represent. Also, the animation is pretty jumpy in some browsers, especially Firefox. Imagine that the motion is smooth.)
- Look at graphs of the following states \begin{align} \Phi_1(\phi)&=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\left|{2}\right\rangle +\left|{-2}\right\rangle )\\ \Phi_2(\phi)&=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\left|{2}\right\rangle -\left|{-2}\right\rangle )\\ \Phi_3(\phi)&=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\left|{2}\right\rangle +i\left|{-2}\right\rangle ) \end{align} Write a short description of how these states differ from each other.
- Find a state for which the probability density does not depend on time. Write the state in both ket and wave function notation. These are called stationary states. Generalize your result to give a characterization of the set of all possible states that are stationary states.
- Find a state that is right-moving. Write the state in both ket and wave function notation. Generalize your result to give a characterization of the set of all possible states that are right-moving.
- Find a state that is a standing wave. Write the state in both ket and wave function notation. Generalize your result to give a characterization of the set of all possible states that are standing waves.