Q.P.
Code: 26922
(3 Hours) [Total Marks:75
N.B. (1) Answers to the TWO sections should be written in the SAME Answer book.
(2) Figures to the right indicate full marks.
(3) Use of non – programmable calculators / log tables is allowed.
(4) Symbols have their usual meaning unless otherwise stated.
Section I (Quantum Mechanics I)
1 a) Estimate the energy of an electron confined within the nucleus of radius 10 -13 12
cm. Given that the electrons in the β decay have the energies ∼ 10 MeV, what
does it say about the possibility of electron being nuclear constituent? (1 eV =
1.6 X 10 – 12 ergs).
Find the commutators:
b) 1] [𝐿̂ ̂𝑥 ], where 𝐿̂ is an angular momentum operator.
2, 𝐿
2] [𝑓(𝑥), 𝑝̂ ], where 𝑓(𝑥) is some function of 𝑥 and 𝑝̂ is momentum operator.
3] State the general uncertainty relation between two hermitian operators 𝐴̂
ℏ
and 𝐵̂. From that, show, ∆𝑥 ∆𝐸 ≥ 2𝑚 |〈𝑝𝑥 〉|
OR
2 a) Find the following commutators: 12
1] [𝑥̂, 𝑝̂ ], where p is the momentum operator.
̂𝑥 ,̂
2] [ 𝐿 𝐿𝑦 ], where 𝐿̂ is an angular momentum operator.
−ℏ2
b) Show that the kinetic energy operator, 𝑇̂ = ∇2 is non-negative i.e. 〈𝑇̂〉 > 0.
2𝑚
c) Consider a system described by the wave equation:
Ψ(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝐴𝑒 −𝜆𝑥 𝑒 −𝑖𝜔𝑡 if x>0,
= 𝐴𝑒 𝜆𝑥 𝑒 −𝑖𝜔𝑡 if x < 0
where 𝐴, 𝜆, 𝜔 are real positive constants.
i] Normalize and sketch 𝜓(𝑥), ii] Calculate 〈𝑇̂〉
1 1 −1
3 Consider the operator matrix, 𝐴 = 2 [ ] 13
−1 1
1] Is A hermitian?, 2] Find its eigenvalues, 3] Obtain the eigenvectors and
normalize them, 4] What is the matrix operation that diagonalizes A?
Construct the unitary diagonalizing matrix S.
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2 Q.P.Code: 26922
OR
4 a) Define Hermitian and symmetric matrices. Show that the eigenvalues of the 13
Hermitian operator are real.
b) If 𝐴̂ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵̂ are two hermitian operators which commute, show that we can
always find the simultaneous eigen functions of them.
c) The Hamiltonian operator of the system is
𝑑2
𝐻= + 𝑥2
𝑑𝑥 2
In some system of units.
2 /2
1] Show that 𝑁𝑒 −𝑥 is an eigenfunction of 𝐻, 2] Also determine the
eigenvalues, 3] Normalize the given wave function.
∞ 2 𝜋
You may want to use ∫−∞ 𝑒 −𝛼𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = √𝛼
5 Consider a particle in an finite potential well given by: 13
V(x) = 0 for x < 0 and x > a
= -V0 for 0 < x < a
1] Set up the Schrodinger equation in different region and solve.
2] Obtain the transcendental equation and calculate energy eigenvalues from
them.
3] Sketch the ground state and the first excited state eigenfunctions
OR
6 a) For the harmonic oscillator potential, 13
1] Define the annihilation, creation and number operators
2] Using the fact that ̂𝑎𝜓0 (𝑥) = 0, find the ground state wave function𝜓0 (𝑥).
3] Calculate the 〈𝑥 2 〉 in 𝜓0 (𝑥)
∞ 2 +𝛽𝑥 𝜋 2 /4𝛼
You may want to use ∫−∞ 𝑒 −𝛼𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = √𝛼 𝑒 𝛽
b) Show that if the potential is symmetric about 𝑥 = 0, then the wave functions
can be taken as either symmetric or anti-symmetric.
SECTION II (NUCLEAR PHYSICS)
7 (a) Assuming the square well potential for the deuteron, find the minimum depth of 6
the potential , if the width of the potential is 2fm.
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3 Q.P.Code: 26922
(b) Explain why a nucleus has a zero electric dipole moment. What information 6
does the measurement of the electric quadrupole moment of a nucleus
provide?
OR
8 (a) What is the reason that makes the 𝐽 = 𝑙 + 1/2 state deeper lying or more 6
tightly bound compared to the 𝐽 = 𝑙 – 1/2 state in a nucleus ?
(b) Give the expected shell-model spin and parity assignments for ground state of 6
: (a) 7
3𝐿𝑖 b) 63
29𝐶𝑢 c) 40
20 𝐶𝑎 d) 31
16𝑃
9 (a) Why is the emission of α particle preferred over that of individual nucleons in 7
the radioactive decay of a nucleus? State the Geiger- Nuttal law.
(b) Give an account of the Nilsson model of the nucleus. What is Nilsson diagram? 6
OR
10 Obtain the Breit Wigner single level resonance formula for S wave neutron 13
scattering.
11 (a) State which of the following reactions are allowed by the conservation laws 6
and which are forbidden, giving the reason. In case of allowed processes
state the interaction responsible for it.
𝜇+ → 𝑒 − + 𝑒 + + 𝑒 +
𝐾+ → 𝜋+ + 𝜋− + 𝜋+
(b) Outline the working principle and construction of linear accelerator. 6
OR
12 (a) Explain how semiconductor detectors are superior to (i) gas detectors and (ii) 6
scintillation detectors.
(b) Explain the construction and working of a Geiger –Muller counter. Explain the 6
terms : Dead time and Recovery time.
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