Wave functions - expectations values, probability etc

1 𝟐 𝟐
The wave function of a particle is given by 𝝍(𝒙) = 𝑪𝒆 𝜶 𝒙 , −∞ < 𝒙 < +∞, where 𝑪 and 𝜶 are
constants. Calculate the probability of finding the particle in the region 𝟎 < 𝒙 < ∞.

Solution: The probability of finding the particle in the region 0 < 𝑥 < ∞ is given by

1 𝜋
𝑃=   𝜓 ∗ (𝑥)𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 =   𝐶 ∗𝑒 ⋅ 𝐶𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = 𝐶 ∗ 𝐶  𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = 𝐶
2 2𝛼

[Since, from standard integral, ∫  𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = ]

Now, to normalize the wave function

From (i)

𝜋 2𝛼
  |𝜓(𝑥)| 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or,   |𝐶| 𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, |𝐶| = 1 or, |𝐶| =
2𝛼 𝜋

2𝛼 1 𝜋 1
𝑃= ⋅ =
𝜋 2 2𝛼 2

Hence, the probability of finding the particle in −0 < 𝑥 < +∞ is .

2 Normalize the one-dimensional wave function given by

𝝅𝒙
𝑨𝐬𝐢𝐧 , 𝟎<𝒙<𝒍
𝝍(𝒙) = 𝒍
𝟎, outside

Solution: The wave function 𝜓(𝑥) is said to be normalised if it satisfies the relation

  𝜓 ∗ (𝑥)𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1

As the wave function 𝜓(𝑥) exists only in the region 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑙 and is zero outside, we have from (i)
 𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥
   𝜓 ∗ (𝑥)𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1 or,    𝐴∗ sin 𝐴sin 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, 𝐴∗ 𝐴    sin 𝑑𝑥 = 1
𝑙 𝑙 𝑙
1 2𝜋𝑥 2𝜋𝑥
or, 𝐴∗ 𝐴    1 − cos 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, 𝐴∗ 𝐴    𝑑𝑥 −    cos 𝑑𝑥 = 2
2 𝑙 𝑙
𝑙 2𝜋𝑥 2
or, |𝐴| 𝑥− sin = 2 or, |𝐴| [𝑙 − 0 + 0] = 2 or, |𝐴| =
2𝜋 𝑙 𝑙

2
or, |𝐴| = 𝐴 = [assuming 𝐴 to be real]
𝑙

Hence, the normalized wave function is

2 𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = sin
𝑙 𝑙

3 A particle is represented by the wave function 𝝍(𝒙) = 𝒆 |𝒙|

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜶𝒙. What is the probability that its
position to the right of the point 𝒙 = 𝟏 ?

Solution: Here, let 𝜓 (𝑥) = 𝑒 sin 𝛼𝑥, for 𝑥 < 0

and 𝜓 (𝑥) = 𝑒 sin 𝛼𝑥, for 𝑥 > 0

∴    |𝜓(𝑥)| 𝑑𝑥 = 1/𝐶 , where 𝐶 is the normalisation constant

or,    |𝜓 (𝑥)| 𝑑𝑥 +    |𝜓 (𝑥)| 𝑑𝑥 =    𝑒 sin 𝛼𝑥𝑑𝑥 +    𝑒 sin 𝛼𝑥𝑑𝑥

1 − cos 2𝛼𝑥 1 − cos 2𝛼𝑥

=    𝑒 𝑑𝑥 +    𝑒 𝑑𝑥
2 2
1 1 1
= −    𝑒 cos 2𝛼𝑥𝑑𝑥 −    𝑒 cos 2𝛼𝑥𝑑𝑥
2 2 2
1 1 1 𝛼
= − − = = 1/𝐶
2 4(1 + 𝛼 ) 4(1 + 𝛼 ) 2(1 + 𝛼 )
2(1 + 𝛼 )
∴𝐶=
𝛼

So the normalized wave function is

2(1 + 𝛼 ) | |
𝜓(𝑥) = 𝑒 sin 𝛼𝑥
𝛼

The required probability is given by

 1 𝑒
𝑃=   |𝜓| 𝑑𝑥 =  𝑒 sin 𝛼𝑥 = [1 + 𝛼 − cos 2𝛼 + 𝛼sin 2𝛼]
𝐶 4(1 + 𝛼 )

4 𝒂𝟐 𝒙𝟐
(i) Calculate the normalization constant for a wave function (at 𝒕 = 𝟎) given by 𝝍(𝒙) = 𝒂𝒆 𝟐 𝒆𝒊𝒌𝒙
known as a Gaussian wave packet. Determine

(ii) the probability density and

(iii) probability current density of the wave packet.

Solution:

(i) According to the condition of normalization

So

  |𝜓(𝑥)| 𝑑𝑥 = |𝑎|  𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = 1

√𝜋 𝛼 /
|𝑎| = 1 or, |𝑎| =
𝛼 √𝜋

This gives the normalization constant of the wave function.

∴ probability density
𝑎
𝜌 = 𝜓∗ 𝜓 = 𝑎∗ 𝑒 /
𝑒 × 𝑎𝑒 /
𝑒 = 𝑒
√𝜋

(ii) We have the wave function

𝜓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑒 𝑒
∗ ∗ /
∴ 𝜓 (𝑥) =𝑎 𝑒 𝑒

(iii) We have

∂𝜓(𝑥) /
= 𝑎(𝑖𝑘 − 𝛼 𝑥)𝑒 𝑒
∂𝑥
∗
∂𝜓 (𝑥)
= 𝑎∗ (−𝑖𝑘 − 𝛼 𝑥)𝑒 /
𝑒
∂𝑥

∴ the probability current density is

𝑖ℏ ∂𝜓 ∗ ∂𝜓 𝑖ℏ ℏ𝑘 ℏ𝑘
𝐽 = 𝜓 − 𝜓∗ = |𝑎| (−𝑖𝑘 − 𝛼 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑘 + 𝛼 𝑥)𝑒 = |𝑎| 𝑒 = 𝑝
2𝑚 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 2𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
5 A plane wave is given by the wave function 𝝍(𝒙) = 𝑨𝒆𝒊𝒌𝒙 in one-dimension. Find the probability current
density.

Solution: The probability current density is given by

ℏ ℏ 𝜓 ∗ ∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜓 ∗
𝐽 = [𝜓 ∗ ∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜓 ∗ ] =
2𝑚𝑖 𝑚 2𝑖
ℏ
∴𝐽 = Im (𝜓 ∗ ∇𝜓) in one-dimension
𝑚

Since, 𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑒

∂𝜓
∴ = 𝐴(𝑖𝑘)𝑒 ; 𝜓 ∗ = 𝐴∗ 𝑒
∂𝑥
ℏ ℏ ℏ𝑘
∴𝐽= Im 𝐴∗ 𝑒 𝐴𝑒 ⋅ 𝑖𝑘 = Im (|𝐴| 𝑖𝑘) = |𝐴|
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
ℏ
But, = 𝑣, velocity. ∴ 𝐽 = 𝑣|𝐴| .

Now, the probability density of the particle is 𝜌 = 𝜓 ∗ 𝜓 = 𝐴∗ 𝑒 𝐴𝑒 = |𝐴| .

∴ the probability current density is 𝐽 = velocity × probability density

= 𝑣𝜌 = flow of probability per second through unit area

6 A one-dimensional wave function is given by 𝝍(𝒙) = √𝒂𝒆 𝒂𝒙

, find the probability of finding the particle
between 𝒙 = 𝟏/𝒂 and 𝒙 = 𝟐/𝒂.

Solution: Probability of finding the particle between 𝑥 and 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 is

𝑃(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝜓 ∗ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 = √𝑎𝑒 ⋅ √𝑎𝑒 = 𝑎𝑒 𝑑𝑥

Now, the probability of finding the particle between 𝑥 = 1/𝑎 and 𝑥 = 2/𝑎 is

/ /
𝑒 1 × × 𝑒 −𝑒
𝑃=   𝑎𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑎 =− 𝑒 −𝑒 =
/ −2𝑎 /
2 2

7 If 𝝍𝟏 (𝒙, 𝒕) and 𝝍𝟐 (𝒙, 𝒕) are both the solutions of Schrödinger's wave equation for a given potential
𝑽(𝒙, 𝒕), then show that 𝝍 = 𝒂𝟏 𝝍𝟏 + 𝒂𝟐 𝝍𝟐 , in which 𝒂𝟏 and 𝒂𝟐 are arbitrary constants, is also a solution.

Solution: One-dimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation is

ℏ ∂ ∂
− 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) + 𝑉(𝑥, 𝑡)𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑖ℏ 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡)
2𝑚 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑡

Since, 𝜓 (𝑥, 𝑡) and 𝜓 (𝑥, 𝑡) are both solutions of the above equation, we have
 ℏ ∂
−𝜓 (𝑥, 𝑡) + 𝑉(𝑥, 𝑡)𝜓 (𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑖ℏ𝜓 𝜓 (𝑥, 𝑡)
2𝑚 ∂𝑥
ℏ ∂ ∂
and − 𝜓 (𝑥, 𝑡) + 𝑉(𝑥, 𝑡)𝜓 (𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑖ℏ 𝜓 (𝑥, 𝑡)
2𝑚 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑡

Multiplying (ii) by 𝑎 (iii) by 𝑎 and, then adding, we get

ℏ ∂ ∂
− (𝑎 𝜓 + 𝑎 𝜓 ) + 𝑉(𝑎 𝜓 + 𝑎 𝜓 ) = 𝑖ℏ (𝑎 𝜓 + 𝑎 𝜓 )
2𝑚 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑡

Comparing (iv) with (i), we get 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑎 𝜓 + 𝑎 𝜓 .

∴ 𝜓 = 𝑎 𝜓 + 𝑎 𝜓 is also a solution of Schrödinger time-dependent wave equation

8 The wave function of a particle constraint to move along 𝒙(−∞ < 𝒙 < ∞) at a certain instant is given by
𝒙𝟐
𝝍(𝒙) = 𝑨𝐞𝐱𝐩 − + 𝒊𝒃𝒙 [𝒂, 𝒃 are real constants ]. Find the normalization constant 𝑨.[BU(H) 1993]
𝒂𝟐

Solution: The condition of normalization of the wave function of 𝜓(𝑥) is

  𝜓 ∗ (𝑥)𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1

But, 𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑒 /
.

∴ 𝜓 ∗ (𝑥) = 𝐴∗ 𝑒 /
.

Now,

  𝜓 ∗ (𝑥)𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 =   |𝐴| 𝑒 /
×𝑒 /
𝑑𝑥 = 𝐴  𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = 1

Putting = 𝑧, 𝑥 = .

𝑎√𝑧 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑑𝑧 𝑎𝑧 / 𝑑𝑧
∴𝑥= or, 2𝑥𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑧 or, 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑧 = =
√2 2 4𝑥 𝑎𝑧 / 2√2
4×
√2

∴ from (i)

𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 1
𝐴    𝑒 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = 1 or, 𝐴    𝑒 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 = 1 or, 𝐴 Γ =1
2√2 2√2 2√2 2
/
𝑎 𝜋 4 1 4 1
or, 𝐴 = 1 or, 𝐴 = ⋅ or, 𝐴 =
2√2 2 √𝜋 𝑎 √𝜋 𝑎
9 Consider an infinite square well potential in one dimension

𝟎, for − 𝒂 < 𝒙 < 𝒂

𝑽=
∞, for 𝒙 < −𝒂 and 𝒙 > 𝒂
 The wave function of a particle trapped in this well is found to be

𝝅𝒙 𝟑𝝅𝒙 𝟏 𝟑𝝅𝒙
𝝍(𝒙) = 𝑪 𝐜𝐨𝐬 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬
𝟐𝒂 𝒂 𝟒 𝟐𝒂

inside the well and 𝝍(𝒙) = 𝟎 outside the well. Calculate 𝑪.

Solution: According to the normalization condition

   𝜓 ∗ (𝑥)𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1

𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥 1 3𝜋𝑥
or, 2    |𝐶| cos
+ sin + cos 𝑑𝑥 = 1
2𝑎 𝑎 4 2𝑎
𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥 1 3𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥
or, 2|𝐶|    cos 𝑑𝑥 +    sin 𝑑𝑥 +    cos 𝑑𝑥 +    2cos sin 𝑑𝑥
2𝑎 2𝑎 16 2𝑎 2𝑎 𝑎
1 3𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥 1 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥
+     sin cos 𝑑𝑥 +     cos cos 𝑑𝑥 = 1
2 𝑎 2𝑎 2 2𝑎 2𝑎

But,

𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥
   2cos sin 𝑑𝑥 = 0
2𝑎 𝑎
1 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥 1 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥
and    cos cos 𝑑𝑥 =    2cos cos 𝑑𝑥
2 2𝑎 𝑎 4 2𝑎 𝑎
1 𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥
=    sin + 𝑑𝑥 +    sin − 𝑑𝑥 = 0
4 2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎

∴ from (i)

𝜋𝑥 3𝜋𝑥 1 3𝜋𝑥
2|𝐶|    cos 𝑑𝑥 +    sin 𝑑𝑥 +    cos 𝑑𝑥 = 1
2𝑎 2𝑎 16 2𝑎
𝑎 𝑎 1 𝑎 33𝑎 16
or, 2|𝐶| + + = 1 or, 2|𝐶| × = 1 or, |𝐶| =
2 2 16 2 32 33𝑎
16 4
∴𝐶= =
33𝑎 √33𝑎

10 The normalized ground state wave function of an electron in a hydrogen atom is given by 𝝍(𝒓⃗) =
𝟏/𝟐
𝟏
𝒆 𝒓/𝒂𝟎
, where 𝒂𝟎 is the first Bohr radius.
𝝅𝒂𝟑𝟎

(i) Verify that 𝝍(𝒓⃗) is normalised.

(ii) Obtain the probability of finding the ground state electron at a distance greater than 𝒂𝟎 from the
nucleus.
 Solution:
(i) According to the condition of normalization

  𝜓 ∗ (𝑟)𝜓(𝑟)4𝜋𝑟 𝑑𝑟 = 1

Now, let

1 /
𝐼 = 4𝜋  𝑒 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝜋𝑎

Putting

2𝑟 𝑎 𝑥 𝑎 𝑎
𝑥= ;𝑟 = , 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑑𝑥 and 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑎 2 2 2

∴ from (i)

1 𝑎 1 1
𝐼 = 4𝜋  𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = Γ(3) = 2! = 1
𝜋𝑎 2 2 2

Hence, the given wave function 𝜓(𝑟) is normalised.

(ii) Now, the probability of finding the ground state electron is

1 4
𝑃=   𝜓 ∗ (𝑟)𝜓(𝑟)4𝜋𝑟 𝑑𝑟 = 4𝜋  𝑒 /
𝑟 𝑑𝑟 =  𝑒 /
𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝜋𝑎 𝑎

Put 𝑥 = 𝑟 − 𝑎 , ∴ 𝑟 = 𝑥 + 𝑎 or, 𝑟 = 𝑥 + 2𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑎 and 𝑑𝑟 = 𝑑𝑥.

/ (𝑥 + 2𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑎 )𝑑𝑥
∴    𝑒 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 =    𝑒

=𝑒    𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑎    𝑒 𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 𝑎    𝑒 𝑑𝑥

Now, putting = 𝑧, 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑧, 𝑥 = 𝑧 and 𝑥 = 𝑧

/
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
∴    𝑒 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 =𝑒    𝑒 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 + 2𝑎    𝑒 𝑧𝑑𝑧 + 𝑎 ×    𝑒 𝑑𝑧
8 4 2
1 1 1 5
=𝑒 𝑎 Γ(3) + Γ(2) + = 𝑒 𝑎
8 2 2 4
4 5
∴𝑃 = × 𝑒 𝑎 = 5𝑒
𝑎 4

∴ the probability of finding the ground state electron at a distance greater than 𝑎 from the nucleus is 5𝑒
11 The wave function of a particle is given by 𝝍(𝒙) = 𝑨𝒆 𝜶𝒙𝟐 , −∞ < 𝒙 < ∞, where 𝑨 and 𝜶 are constants.
Calculate the probability of finding the particle in the region 𝟎 < 𝒙 < ∞. [BU(H) 1995]

Solution: According to the condition of normalization

   |𝜓(𝑥)| 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or,    |𝐴| 𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, 2    |𝐴| 𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = 1

1 2𝜋 𝛼
or, 2|𝐴| ⋅ = 1 or, |𝐴| = 2
4 𝛼 2𝜋

Again, the probability of finding the particle in the region 0 < 𝑥 < ∞ is

√2𝛼 /
𝑃=   |𝜓(𝑥)| 𝑑𝑥 = |𝐴|  𝑒 𝑑𝑥 = |𝐴|  𝑒 𝑥𝑑𝑥 = |𝐴|  𝑒 𝑧 𝑑𝑧
4𝜋

√
[Putting 2𝛼𝑥 = 𝑧, ∴ 4𝛼𝑥𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑧, ∴ 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑧 /
𝑑𝑧 ]

1 2 1 1 2 1 2𝜋 𝛼 1 2𝜋 1
∴ 𝑃 = |𝐴| Γ = |𝐴| √𝜋 = |𝐴| =2 × =
4 𝛼 2 4 𝛼 4 𝛼 2𝜋 4 𝛼 2

∴ the probability of finding the particle in the region 0 < 𝑥 < 𝛼 is .

12 The normalized ground state wave function of a one-electron atom is given by

𝒛 𝟑/𝟐 𝒛𝒓
𝟏/𝟐 𝒂𝟎
𝝍(𝒓) = 𝝅 𝒆
𝒂𝟎

where the notations have usual meaning. Evaluate the probability that the electron in this state will be
found at a distance greater than 𝟐𝒂𝟎 /𝒛.

Solution: The probability of finding the electron at a distance greater than 2𝑎 /𝑧 is

/
𝑃 =    |𝜓(𝑟)| 4𝜋𝑟 𝑑𝑟 = 4𝜋    |𝜓(𝑟)| 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 = 4𝜋    |𝜓| 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 − 4𝜋    |𝜓| 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
/ /
/
𝑧 𝑧 𝑎 2𝑧
=1−4    𝑟 𝑒 𝑑𝑟 = 1 − 4    𝑥 𝑒 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 = 𝑟
𝑎 𝑎 2𝑧 𝑎
1
= 1 − (2 − 26𝑒 ) = 13𝑒 ≃ 0.15
2
13 Prove that in the case of the wave function, 𝝍(𝒓) = 𝒆𝒊𝒌𝒓 , the probability current density is given by 𝑱 =
𝒓
𝒗/𝒓𝟐 , where 𝒗 is the velocity of the particle.
Solution: The probability current density is

ℏ ∗ ∗]
ℏ 𝜓 ∗ ∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜓 ∗ ℏ
𝐽= [𝜓 ∇𝜓 − 𝜓∇𝜓 = = Im (𝜓∗ ∇𝜓)
2𝑚𝑖 𝑚 2𝑖 𝑚

The given wave function 𝜓(𝑟) is a function of 𝑟 only we take the 𝑟-component of ∇𝜓 =

ℏ ∂𝜓 ℏ 𝑒 1 𝑒 ℏ 1 1
∴𝐽 = Im 𝜓 ∗ = Im 𝑒 𝑖𝑘 − = Im 𝑖𝑘 −
𝑚 ∂𝑟 𝑚 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑚 𝑟 𝑟
ℏ 𝑘 𝑣 ℏ𝑘
= ⋅ = ∵𝑣= = velocity of the particle
𝑚 𝑟 𝑟 𝑚

14 Find the value of the normalization constant 𝑨 for the wave function, representing a particle moving in a
box of dimension 𝒂 × 𝒃 × 𝒄, where
𝒏𝒙 𝝅𝒙 𝒏𝒚 𝝅𝒚 𝒏𝒛 𝝅𝒚
𝝍(𝒙, 𝒚, 𝒛) = 𝑨𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐧 .
𝒂 𝒃 𝒄

Solution: The given wave function can be expressed as 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝜓(𝑥)𝜓(𝑦)𝜓(𝑧), where
𝑛 𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐵 sin
𝑎

Similarly,
𝑛 𝜋𝑥 𝑛 𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑦) = 𝐵 sin and 𝜓(𝑧) = 𝐵 sin
𝑎 𝑎

Since, the free particle is moving inside a box of length 𝑎 the probability of finding the particle inside the box
is 1 .

𝑛 𝜋𝑥 ∗ 𝑛 𝜋𝑥
∴    𝜓 ∗ (𝑥)𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1 or,    𝐵 sin𝐵 sin 𝑑𝑥 = 1
𝑎 𝑎
𝑛 𝜋𝑥 |𝐵 | 2𝑛 𝜋𝑥
or, |𝐵 | ×    sin 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, ×     1 − cos 𝑑𝑥 = 1
𝑎 2 𝑎
|𝐵 | 2
or, 𝑎 = 1 or, |𝐵 | =
2 𝑎

Similarly,

2 2
𝐵 = and |𝐵 | =
𝑏 𝑐
 ∴ the normalised wave function is

2√2 𝑛 𝜋𝑥 𝑛 𝜋𝑦 𝑛 𝜋𝑧
𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = sin sin sin
√𝑎𝑏𝑐 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

√
and the normalization constant 𝐴 = .
√

15 Normalize the function 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒏𝝅𝒙 of a particle moving in a region 𝟎 ⩽ 𝒙 ⩽ 𝑳. Calculate the expectation
𝑳
value of the momentum of the particle.

Solution: Let the wave function be

sin 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = 𝑁
𝐿

𝑁 is the normalisation constant.

Now, the normalization condition is

𝑛𝜋𝑥 ∗ 𝑛𝜋𝑥
   𝜓 ∗ (𝑥)𝜓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1 or,     𝑁sin
sin 𝑑𝑥 = 1
𝐿 𝐿
𝑛𝜋𝑥
or, |𝑁|    sin 𝑑𝑥 = 1
𝐿
1 2𝑛𝜋𝑥
or, |𝑁|     1 − cos 𝑑𝑥 = 1
2 𝐿

|𝑁| 2
or, (𝐿 − 0) = 1 or, 𝑁 =
2 𝐿

The normalized wave function is

2 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = sin
𝐿 𝐿

Now, the expectation value of momentum is

 ⟨𝑝ˆ⟩ =    𝜓 ∗ 𝑝ˆ𝜓𝑑𝑥
∗
2 𝑛𝜋𝑥 ∂ 2 𝑛𝜋𝑥
=    sin −𝑖ℏ sin 𝑑𝑥
𝐿 𝐿 ∂𝑥 𝐿 𝐿

2 𝑛𝜋𝑥 𝑛𝜋𝑥 𝑛𝜋
= −𝑖ℏ    sin cos 𝑑𝑥
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿
𝑛𝜋 2𝑛𝜋𝑥 𝑖Γ𝑛𝜋
= −𝑖ℏ    sin 𝑑𝑥 = − ⋅0
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿
∴ ⟨𝑝ˆ⟩ = 0

16 Given 𝝍(𝒓⃗, 𝒕) = 𝑨𝒆𝒊(𝒌⃗⋅𝒓⃗ 𝝎𝒕)

. Find the probability current density. [CU (H) 2012; KU (H) 2009]

Solution: The expression for probability current density is

ℏ
𝑆⃗ = [𝜓 ∗ ∇𝜓 − (∇𝜓 ∗ )𝜓]
2𝑚
( ⃗⋅ ⃗ ⃗⋅ ⃗ ( ⃗ ⋅ ⃗)
Now, ∇𝜓 = ∇𝐴𝑒 )
= 𝐴 ∇𝑒 = 𝑖𝑘⃗ 𝐴𝑒 = 𝑖𝑘⃗ 𝜓
( ⃗ ⋅ ⃗) ⃗⋅ ⃗ ( ⃗⋅ ⃗
and ∇𝜓∗ = ∇𝐴∗ 𝑒 = 𝐴∗ ∇𝑒 𝑒 = −𝑖𝑘⃗ 𝐴∗ 𝑒 )
= −𝑖𝑘⃗ 𝜓 ∗
ℏ ℏ ℏ𝑘⃗ ∗ 𝑝⃗
∴ 𝑆⃗ = 𝜓 ∗ 𝑖𝑘⃗ 𝜓 − −𝑖𝑘⃗ 𝜓∗ 𝜓 = 2𝑖𝑘⃗ 𝜓 ∗ 𝜓 = 𝜓 𝑌 = 𝜓 ∗ 𝜓 = 𝑣⃗𝜓 ∗ 𝜓
2𝑚 2𝑖𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
⃗
where 𝑣⃗ = is the velocity of the particle.

The probability density

( ⃗ ⋅ ⃗) ( ⃗⋅ ⃗
𝜌 = 𝜓 ∗ 𝜓 = 𝐴∗ 𝑒 𝐴𝑒 )
= |𝐴|
ℏ𝑘⃗
∴ 𝑆⃗ = 𝑣⃗𝜌 = |𝐴|
𝑚

17 . A wave function is given by

𝒙 𝒏
𝒙/𝒙𝟎
𝝍(𝒙) = 𝑵 𝒆
𝒙𝟎

where 𝑵, 𝒏, 𝒙𝟎 are constants.

From Schrödinger equation find potential 𝑽(𝒙) and energy 𝑬 for which 𝝍(𝒙) is an eigenfunction.

Solution: The time independent Schrödinger equation is given by

 𝑑 2𝑚
𝜓(𝑥) + [𝑉 − 𝑉(𝑥)]𝜓(𝑥) = 0
𝑑𝑥 ℏ
𝑑 𝑥 2𝑚
or, 𝑁 𝑒 / + [𝐸 − 𝑉(𝑥)]𝜓(𝑥) = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 ℏ

Now,

𝑑 𝑥 /
𝑁 𝑑 𝑑 𝑁 𝑑 1
𝑁 𝑒 = 𝑥 𝑒 / = 𝑛𝑥 𝑒 / +𝑥 − 𝑒 /
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
𝑁 𝑑 𝑥
= 𝑛𝑥 − 𝑒 /
𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
𝑁 𝑛 𝑥 1
= 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑥 − 𝑥 𝑒 / + 𝑛𝑥 − − 𝑒 /
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑁 𝑛 1 𝑥
= 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)𝑥 − 𝑥 − 𝑛𝑥 −
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 2𝑛 1 𝑥 𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 2𝑛 1
= − + 𝑁 𝑒 / = − + 𝜓(𝑥)
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 2𝑛 1 2𝑚
∴[ − + 𝜓(𝑥) + [𝐸 − 𝑉(𝑥)]𝜓(𝑥) = 0
𝑥 𝑥𝑥 𝑥 ℏ
ℏ 𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 2𝑛 1
or, 𝐸 −𝑉(𝑥) = − − +
2𝑚 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

When 𝑥 → ∞, 𝑉(𝑥) = 0

ℏ
∴𝐸=−
2𝑚𝑥

Also

ℏ ℏ 𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 2𝑚 1
− − 𝑉(𝑥) =− − +
2𝑚𝑥 2𝑚 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
ℏ 𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 2𝑚
or, 𝑉(𝑥) = −
2𝑚 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

18 Find the probability that a particle can the particle is limited to the 𝒙-axis and has the wave function

𝒂𝒙, for 𝟎 ⩽ 𝒙 ⩽ 𝟏
𝝍=
𝟎, for 𝒙 < 𝟎 and 𝒙 > 𝟎

Also find the average value of 𝒙.

Solution: From the condition of normalization of the wave function we have

 1
   𝜓 ∗ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 = 1 or,    (𝑎𝑥)∗ (𝑎𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, 𝑎    𝑥 ∗ 𝑥𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, 𝑎 𝑥 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, 𝑎 ⋅ =1
3
∴ 𝑎 = √3.

∴ 𝜓 = √3𝑥, for 𝑥 ⩽ 𝑥 ⩽ 1
0, for 𝑥 < 0, 𝑥 > 0

230 I Perspective of Quantum Mechanics

Now, the probability of the particle that can be found in between 𝑥 = 0.45 and 𝑥 = 0.55 is
. . .
   𝜓 ∗ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 =    (√3𝑥)∗ (√3𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 3    𝑥 𝑑𝑥
. . .
.
𝑥 .
= 3⋅ = [𝑥 ] . = (0.55) − (0.45) = 0.08
3 .

and ⟨𝑥ˆ⟩ =    𝜓 ∗ 𝑥ˆ𝜓𝑑𝑥 =    |𝜓| 𝑥𝑑𝑥 =    |√3𝑥| 𝑥𝑑𝑥

𝑥 3
=3    𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 3 ⋅ = (1 − 0) = 0.75
4 4

19 . Normalize the following wave function

𝑵𝒆 𝜶𝒙 , (𝒙 > 𝟎)
𝝍(𝒙) =
𝑵𝒆𝜶𝒙 , (𝒙 < 𝟎)

where 𝜶 is a positive constant.

Solution: The condition of normalization is

   𝜓 ∗ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 = 1 or,    (𝑁𝑒 )∗ (𝑁𝑒 )𝑑𝑥 +    (𝑁𝑒 )∗ (𝑁𝑒 )𝑑𝑥 = 1

or, |𝑁|    𝑒 𝑑𝑥 + |𝑁|    𝑑𝑥 = 1

𝑒 𝑒
or, |𝑁| + =1
2𝛼 −2𝛼
1 1
or, |𝑁| + = 1(∵ 𝑒 = 0)
2𝛼 2𝛼
or, |𝑁| = 𝛼 or, 𝑁 = √𝛼
√𝛼𝑒 , for 𝑥 > 0
∴ 𝜓(𝑥) =
√𝛼𝑒 , for 𝑥 < 0

20 Prove that the expectation value of the square of an observable quantity is always positive.
 Solution: We have

𝐴ˆ =   𝐴ˆ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 =   𝜓 ∗ 𝐴ˆ𝐴ˆ𝜓𝑑𝑥

Let 𝐴ˆ𝜓 = 𝜙, then

𝐴ˆ =   𝜓 ∗ 𝐴ˆ𝜙𝑑𝑥

𝐴ˆ being Hermitian

𝐴ˆ =    𝜙𝐴ˆ∗ 𝜓 ∗ 𝑑𝑥 =    (𝐴ˆ𝜓)𝐴ˆ∗ 𝜓 ∗ 𝑑𝑥

=    (𝐴ˆ𝜓)(𝐴ˆ𝜓)∗ 𝑑𝑥 =    |𝐴ˆ𝜓| 𝑑𝑥

∴ 𝐴ˆ ⩾ 0. Hence, the result follows.

21 Consider the Gaussian wave packet 𝐞𝐱𝐩 − (𝒙 𝒙𝟎 )𝟐

𝐞𝐱𝐩
𝒊𝒑𝟎 𝒙
.
𝟐𝝈𝟐 ℏ

(i) Normalize the wave function.

(ii) Find position probability density and position probability current density.

(iii) Show that it corresponds minimum uncertainty product. [ff. CU (H) 2008, 2015; ff. KU (H) 2013]

Solution:
( )
(i) The wave function for the Gaussian wave packet is 𝜓(𝑥) = exp − exp .
ℏ

The normalized Gaussian wave function is

(𝑥 − 𝑥 ) 𝑖𝑝 𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = 𝑁exp − exp
2𝜎 ℏ
(𝑥 − 𝑥 ) 𝑖𝑝 𝑥
and 𝜓(𝑥)∗ = 𝑁exp − exp
2𝜎 ℏ

where 𝑁 is the normalisation constant.

From the condition of normalization

    𝜓 ∗ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 = 1

(𝑥 − 𝑥 ) 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑥 ) 𝑖𝑝 𝑥
or,    (𝑁 ∗ )exp − exp 𝑁exp − exp =1
2𝜎 ℏ 2𝜎 ℏ
(𝑥 − 𝑥 )
or, |𝑁|    exp − 𝑑𝑥 = 1 or, |𝑁|    𝑒 /
𝑑𝑥 = 1[𝑥 = (𝑥 − 𝑥 )]
𝜎
√𝜋 1 1
or, |𝑁| = 1 or, |𝑁| = or, 𝑁 = ∵𝑒 /
1/𝜎 𝜎√𝜋 𝜎√𝜋

∴ the normalised wave function for the Gaussian wave packet is

1 (𝑥 − 𝑥 ) 𝑖𝑝 𝑥
𝜏(𝑥) = exp − exp
𝜎√𝜋 2𝜎 ℏ

(ii) Position probability density

1 (𝑥 − 𝑥 ) 𝑖𝑝 𝑥
𝜌 = 𝜓 ∗ 𝜓 = |𝜓| = exp − exp
𝜎√𝜋 2𝜎 ℏ
1 (𝑥 − 𝑥 )
𝜌= exp −
𝜎√𝜋 𝜎

and the position probability current density is

ℏ ∂𝜓 ∂𝜓 ∗
𝑆= 𝜓∗ − 𝜓
2𝑖𝑚 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑥

Now

∂𝜓 1 𝑖𝑝 𝑥−𝑥 𝑖𝑝
=− 2(𝑥 − 𝑥 )𝜓 + = − + 𝜓
∂𝑥 2𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 ℏ
∗ ∗
∂𝜓 1 𝑖𝑝 𝜓 𝑥−𝑥 𝑖𝑝
and =− 2(𝑥 − 𝑥 )𝜓 ∗ − = − − 𝜓∗
∂𝑥 2𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 ℏ
ℏ 𝑥 − 𝑥 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 − 𝑥 𝑖𝑝
∴𝑆= 𝜓∗ − + 𝜓− − − 𝜓∗𝜓
2𝑖𝑚 𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 ℏ
ℏ 2𝑖𝑝 ∗ 𝑝
= 𝜓 𝜓 = 𝜓∗ 𝜓 = 𝑣 𝜌
2im ℏ 𝑚
𝑝 1 (𝑥 − 𝑥 ) 𝑝
or, 𝑆 = exp − ∵𝑣 = = velocity
𝑚 𝜎√𝜋 𝜎 𝑚

(iii) We have

1 ( )
⟨𝑥ˆ⟩ =   𝜓 ∗ 𝑥ˆ𝜓𝑑𝑥 =   |𝜓| 𝑥𝑑𝑥 =   𝑒 𝑥𝑑𝑥
𝜎√𝜋

Putting
 𝑥−𝑥
= 𝑡 or, 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝜎𝑡, 𝑑𝑥 = 𝜎𝑑𝑡
𝜎

we get

1 𝑥 𝜎
⟨𝑥ˆ⟩ =    𝑒 (𝑥 + 𝜎𝑡)(𝜎𝑑𝑡) =    𝑒 𝑑𝑡 +    𝑒 𝑡𝑑𝑡
𝜎√𝜋 √𝜋 √𝜋
𝑥
= √𝜋 + 0 ∵    𝑒 𝑑𝑡 = √𝜋 and the second integral is odd
√𝜋
∴ (𝑥ˆ) = 𝑥
Again
1 ( )
⟨𝑥ˆ ⟩ =    𝜓 ∗ 𝑥ˆ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 =    𝜓 ∗ 𝑥 𝜓𝑑𝑥 =    |𝜓| 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 =    𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝜎√𝜋
1 .1
=    𝑒 (𝑥 + 𝜎𝑡) (𝜎𝑑𝑡) =    𝑒 (𝑥 + 2𝑥 𝜎𝑡 + 𝜎 𝑡 )𝜎𝑑𝑡
𝜎√𝜋 𝜎√𝜋
𝑥 2𝑥 𝜎 𝜎
=    𝑒 ⋅ 𝑑𝑡 +    𝑒 𝑡𝑑𝑡 +    𝑒 𝑡 𝑑𝑥
√𝜋 √𝜋 √𝜋
𝑥 𝜎 √𝜋
= ⋅ √𝜋 + 0 + ⋅
√𝜋 √𝜋 2
1 𝜋
∵ the second integral is odd and    𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 =
2 𝛽

𝜎
∴ ⟨𝑥ˆ ⟩ = 𝑥 + .
2

Now, the average value of momentum 𝑝 is

∂ ∂𝜓
⟨𝑝ˆ⟩ =    𝜓 ∗ 𝑝ˆ𝜓𝑑𝑥 =    𝜓 ∗ −𝑖ℏ 𝜓 𝑑𝑥 = −𝑖ℏ    𝜓 ∗ 𝑑𝑥
∂𝑥 ∂𝑥
𝑥−𝑥 𝑖𝑝 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 1
= −𝑖ℏ +    𝜓 ∗ − 𝜓𝑑𝑥 = −𝑖ℏ + (1) − (𝑥ˆ)
𝜎 ℏ ℏ 𝜎 𝜎
𝑥 𝑥
= 𝑝 − 𝑖ℏ + 𝑖ℏ
𝜎 𝜎

∴ ⟨𝑝ˆ⟩ = 𝑝 .

Again,
 ∂ 𝜓 ∂ ∂𝜓
⟨𝑝ˆ ⟩ =    𝜓 ∗ 𝑝ˆ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 =    𝜓 ∗ −ℏ 𝑑𝑥 = −ℏ    𝜓 ∗ 𝑑𝑥
∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑥
∂ 𝑥−𝑥 𝑖𝑝
= −ℏ    𝜓 ∗ − + 𝜓𝑑𝑥
∂𝑥 𝜎 ℏ
∂ 𝑥𝜓 𝑖𝑝 𝑥
= −ℏ    𝜓 ∗ − + + 𝜓 𝑑𝑥
∂𝑥 𝜎 ℏ 𝜎
𝜓 𝑥 ∂𝜓 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 ∂𝜓
= −ℏ    𝜓 ∗ − − + + 𝑑𝑥
𝜎 𝜎 ∂𝑥 ℏ 𝜎 ∂𝑥
ℏ 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 𝑥
=    𝜓 ∗ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 − ℏ    𝜓 ∗ + −
𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 𝜎
ℏ 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 2 𝑖𝑝 𝑥
= −ℏ    𝜓 ∗ + − +
𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 𝜎 ℏ 𝜎
ℏ 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 ℏ
= −ℏ +    𝜓 ∗ 𝜓𝑑𝑥 −    𝜓 ∗ 𝑥 𝜓𝑑𝑥
𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 𝜎
ℏ 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 2ℏ 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 ℏ
= −ℏ + (1) + + (𝑥ˆ⟩ − ⟨𝑥ˆ⟩
𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 𝜎
ℏ 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 2ℏ 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 ℏ 𝜎
= −ℏ + + + 𝑥 − 𝑥 +
𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 𝜎 2
ℏ ℏ 𝑥 𝑝 𝑥
= − −ℏ − −
2𝜎 𝜎 ℏ 𝜎
ℏ ℏ 𝜎 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 𝑖𝑝 ℏ 2𝑥
∴ ⟨𝑝ˆ ⟩ = − 𝑥 + −ℏ + + −
𝜎 𝜎 2 ℏ 𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 𝜎
ℏ 𝑖𝑝 𝑥 𝑖𝑝 𝑥
= 𝑝 + + −
2𝜎 ℏ 𝜎 ℏ 𝜎

Uncertainty in

𝜎 𝜎
𝑥 = 4𝑥 = ⟨𝑥ˆ ⟩ − ⟨𝑥ˆ⟩ = 𝑥 + −𝑥 =
2 √2

Uncertainty in
Uncertainty product

ℏ ℏ
𝑝 = Δ𝑝 = ⟨𝑝ˆ ⟩ − ⟨𝑝ˆ⟩ = 𝑝 + −𝑝 =
2𝜎 𝜎√2

𝜎 ℏ ℏ
(Δ𝑥)(Δ𝑝) = ⋅ or, (Δ𝑥)(Δ𝑝) = (minimum)
√2 𝜎√2 2

Hence, Gaussian wave packet corresponds to minimum uncertainty product.

22 The quantum state of a two levels system with energy in 𝐞𝐕 is given as 𝝍(𝒓⃗, 𝒕) = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟎 𝝍𝟏 (𝒓⃗) +
𝒆 𝟏𝒕
𝟎. 𝟔𝟎 𝝍𝟐 (𝒓⃗). What is the probability of finding the system in the upper level? What is the outcome of
ℏ
energy measurement of the system?

Solution: 𝜓 (𝑟⃗) ⋅ 𝜓 (𝑟⃗) are stationary states with energy values 𝐸 and 𝐸 respectively. 𝜓(𝑟⃗, 𝑡) is the
quantum state obtained from a linear combination of 𝜓 (𝑟⃗) and 𝜓 (𝑟⃗) with 𝐶 . 𝐶 being the expansion
coefficients.
∣ ∣
𝜓 (𝑟⃗, 𝑡) = 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑟⃗)𝑒 + 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑟⃗)𝑒
= 0.80𝜓 (𝑟⃗) + 0.60𝑒 /ℏ 𝜓 (𝑟⃗)

Comparing 𝐶 = 0.80, 𝐶 = 060, 𝐸 = 0eV, 𝐸 = 1eV

∴ |𝐶 | = 0.64 → probability of finding the system in the upper level.

|𝐶 | = 0.36 → probability of finding the system in the lower level.

Hence, the outcome of energy measurement and 𝐸 = 0eV (with probability 64% ) and 𝐸 ≃ 1eV (with
probability 36% ).

23 A three-level quantum system has energy eigenvalue 𝟎, 𝟏, 𝟐𝐌𝐞𝐕. If the probabilities of the system at time
𝒕, to be in the first two eigenstates are 𝟒𝟗% and 𝟑𝟔% respectively, write down the wave function for the
system.

Solution: Let 𝐻ˆ be the Hamiltonian of the system with eigenstates 𝜓 (𝑥), 𝜓 (𝑥), 𝜓 (𝑥) and energies 𝐸 =
0MeV, 𝐸 = 1MeV, 𝐸 = 2MeV respectively. Then

𝐻ˆ 𝑌 = 𝐸 𝜓 = 0
𝐻ˆ 𝑌 = 𝐸 𝜓 = 𝜓
𝐻ˆ 𝑌 = 𝐸 𝜓 = 2𝜓

The linear combination of these stationary with expansion coefficients 𝐶 , 𝐶 , 𝐶 is

𝜓(𝑥, 0) = 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥) + 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥) + 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥)

and 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥)𝑒 + 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥)𝑒 + 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥)𝑒
= 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥) + 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥)𝑒 + 𝐶 𝜓 (𝑥) + 𝑒

where |𝐶 | = probability of first eigenstate = 0.49 = |0.7|

|𝐶 | = probability of second eigenstate = 0.36 = |0.6|

|𝐶 | = probability of third eigenstate = 1 − |𝐶 | − |𝐶 | = 1 − 0.49 − 0.36 = 0.15.

 ∴ 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) = 0.7𝜓 (𝑥) + 0.6𝜓 (𝑥)𝑒 /
+ √0.15𝜓 𝑒 /
. This is the wave function for the system.

24 A system has two possible energy values 𝑬𝟎 and 𝟐𝑬𝟎 and at a certain instant it is in a state in which the
𝟑
expectation value of energy is 𝑬𝟎 . Calculate the wave function in the state given that 𝝍𝟎 and 𝝍𝟏 are the
𝟐
wave functions corresponding to the two possible stationary states. What is the wave function after a
time elapsed?

Solution: If 𝐻ˆ be the Hamiltonian, then 𝐻ˆ 𝜓 = 𝐸 𝜓 ; 𝐻ˆ 𝜓 = 𝐸 𝜓 = 2𝐸 𝜓 .

We have 𝜓 = 𝐶 𝜓 + 𝐶 𝜓 , 𝐶 , 𝐶 are constants where 𝜓 and 𝜓 are ortho normalised and represent the
base state.

Now, the expectation value of ⟨𝐻ˆ ⟩ is

3
⟨𝐻ˆ ⟩ = 𝜓 𝐻ˆ𝜓∗ = (𝐶 𝜓 + 𝐶 𝜓 ) 𝐻ˆ (𝐶 𝜓 + 𝐶 𝜓 ) = 𝐸
2
∗ ∗
3
= (𝐶 𝜓 + 𝐶 𝜓 )(𝐶 𝐸 𝜓 + 𝐶 2𝐸 𝜓 ) = 𝐸
2
3
= |𝐶 | 𝐸 𝜓 𝜓 + 2𝐶 ∗ 𝐶 𝐸 𝜓 𝜓 + 𝐶 ∗ 𝐶 𝐸 𝜓 𝜓 + 2|𝐶 | 𝐸 𝜓 𝜓 = 𝐸
2
3
= |𝐶 | 𝐸 (1) + 2𝐶 ∗ 𝐶 𝐸 (0) + 𝐶 ∗ 𝐶 𝐸 (0) + 2|𝐶 | 𝐸 (1) = 𝐸
2
3
= |𝐶 | 𝐸 + 2|𝐶 | 𝐸 = 𝐸
2
3
or, |𝐶 | + 2|𝐶 | =
2

Probability of conservation gives 𝜓 𝜓 = 1

or, (𝐶 𝜓 + 𝐶 𝜓 ) (𝐶 𝜓 + 𝐶 𝜓 ) = 1
or, |𝐶 | 𝜓 𝜓 + 𝐶 ∗ 𝐶 𝜓 𝜓 + 𝐶 ∗ 𝐶 𝜓 𝜓 + |𝐶 | 𝜓 𝜓 = 1
or, |𝐶 | + |𝐶 | = 1

From (i) and (ii), we get 𝐶 = 1/√2, 𝐶 = 1/√2.

∴𝜓= 𝜓 + 𝜓 .
√ √

The wave function after time 𝑡 is

1 1
𝜓(𝑡) = 𝑒 𝜓 + 𝑒 𝜓
√2 √2