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Quantum Mechanics Problem Set

This document contains 13 problems related to quantum mechanics. Problem 1 asks to express the orthonormal basis vectors of a two-dimensional system in terms of their inner products and define new basis vectors. Problem 2 shows that the matrix representation of an operator in its eigenbasis is diagonal. Problem 3 defines probabilities related to eigenstates of an observable and calculates the probability of obtaining an eigenvalue when measuring an observable on a given state.

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Anirudh Dutta
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190 views2 pages

Quantum Mechanics Problem Set

This document contains 13 problems related to quantum mechanics. Problem 1 asks to express the orthonormal basis vectors of a two-dimensional system in terms of their inner products and define new basis vectors. Problem 2 shows that the matrix representation of an operator in its eigenbasis is diagonal. Problem 3 defines probabilities related to eigenstates of an observable and calculates the probability of obtaining an eigenvalue when measuring an observable on a given state.

Uploaded by

Anirudh Dutta
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Quantum Mechanics: PHL555 Date:12.08.2012 Problem Set 2 1.

Consider a two-dimensional physical system (vector space) which is spanned by the basis vectors | 1 and | 2 which forms an orthonormal set. Express the above statement in terms of inner product of these two basis vectors. Now define two new basis vectors 1 1 (| 1 + | 2 ) and | 2 = (| 1 | 2 ) . An operator given by | 1 = 2 2 1 P is represented by in the | i basis by the matrix as 1 . Find | the representation of the operator P in the i basis. What are the eigenstates of this operator P . 2. Show that the matrix representation of an operator in its eigenbasis is diagonal. 3. Lets | 1 and | 2 are two orthogonal normalized states of a physical system. Let A be an observable of the system. Consider a nondegenerate eigenvalue of A denoted by n to which the 2 normalized state | n corresponds . We define P1 ( n ) =| n | 1 | and P2 ( n ) =| n | 2 | 2 . (a) What is the interpretation of P1 ( n ) and P2 ( n ) ?(b) A given particle is in the state 3 | 1 4i | 2 . What is the probability of getting n when A is measured. 4. Show that the ket | r where r = ( x, y , z ) is an eigenstate of the observable X with eigenvalue x . (b) Similarly show that the ket | p where p = ( p x , p y , p z ) is an eigenstate of the observable Px with eigenvalue p x . 5. The Hamiltonian of a particle in a potential V (r ) is given by p2 H= + V (r ) . (a)Write down the Schroedinger equation is r 2m representation. (b) Do the same in p representation. 6. Show that if two operators commute with each other they can have simultaneous eigenket which forms a complete (orthonormal) set

n n 7. Prove the following relation for two operators A & B ; A, B = n[ A, B ] B , where [ A, B ] is the commuator of these two operators. 8. Using the relation in the previous problem show that e A e B = e A+ B e [ A, B ] / 2 x / ) describes a displacement of a 9. Show that the operator exp(ilp distance l along the x direction 10. Consider the following four expression ( A is an operator) (a) | A | | (b) | | (c) | > A | | (d) A | | A | . For each of this expression find out if it is a scalar, operator, ket or bra.. Find out the hermitian conjugate for the each case. 11. At time t = 0 , a free quantum mechanical particle is described by a

Gaussian wave function ( x,0) =

wavefunction is normalized. Plot its real and imaginary part. Calculate 2 x, p x , x 2 , p x . Now find out the time evolved wave function after time . Calculate the same expectation values now at time . Compare them with the earlier values at t = 0 . Verify the uncertainty relation in both cases. 12. Using the resolution of identity and the matrix element of in x-representation the momentum operator (in one-dimension) p verify the following relation x | p | p = i x | p x p x | p = i x | p x Show that the last line of this relation gives the following solution 1 ip x x | p = exp( ) 2 Interpret the above relation physically ( hint: think of Fourier transformation) 13. Read and work out the chapter 2 of the text ( Lectures on Quantum Mechanics: A. K. Das)

( )
2 0

x2
1 4

2 2 0

e ip0 x / . Check if the

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