ALL TEST SOLUTIONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Q1a. What is the significance of normalization in a wave function?
Normalization ensures that the probability of finding a particle in all space is equal to
one; this is the crucial for making accurate predictions about quantum system.
Q1b. Define De Broglie hypothesis and write its equation, clearly explaining each
parameter
He De Broglie hypothesis is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics proposed by Louis
De Broglie in 1924. It states that all moving particles, including electrons, exhibit both wave-
like and particle-like properties.
De Broglie Equation:
ℎ
𝜆=
𝑝
where:
λ (lambda) = de Broglie wavelength of the particle (measured in meters)
h = Planck’s constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ Js)
p = momentum of the particle (mass × velocity, or mv, measured in kg·m/s)
Q1c. What do you understand by the term Heisenberg Uncertainty principle
The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle states that it is impossible to precisely measure both the
position and momentum of a particle at the same time.
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QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Q2a. Drive the time dependent Schrodinger equation for a one dimensional system.
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QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Q2b. State mathematically Ehrenfest theorem
𝒅 〈𝒑
̂〉 𝒅 𝒅𝑽
〈𝒙
̂〉 = , 〈𝒑
̂〉 = − ⟨ ⟩
𝒅𝒕 𝒎 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒙
Q2c. List application of time independent Schrodinger equation
1. Atomic Structure
2. Molecular Bonding
3. Nanotechnology
4. Particle in a Box
5. Optical Properties of Materials
6. Superconductivity
7. Quantum Computing
8. Spectroscopy
9. Nuclear Physics
Q3a. Explain the meaning of well-behave wave function
Well-behave wave function is a mathematical function that describes the quantum
state of physical system, for a wave function to be considered well-behave it must satisfy
certain condition; Finite, Continuous and Single Valued
Q3b. List three (3) condition of a well-behave wave function
I. FINITE: - for a wave function to be finite the integral of |ѱ|2 over all space must be
finite since the particle is somewhere after all.
II. CONTINUOUS: - is said to be continuous at a point (x = a) if the following condition
are met.
a. f(a) is define
b. lim𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)
c. lim𝑥→𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)
III. SINGLE VALUED: - wave function must be single valued because of the probability
can have only one value at a particular place and the time.
ALL TEST SOLUTIONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Q3c. What does it mean to normalize a wave function and why is it important?
Normalization of a wave function means adjusting the wave function ψ(x, t) so that the total
probability of finding the particle anywhere in space is equal to one
Q4a. What do you understand by the term “probability current density?”
In quantum mechanics the probability current density j(x,t) describes how the
probability of finding a particle in a certain region flow with time
Derivation of the probability current density:
Start From Time-Dependent Schrödinger Equation
Let Ψ(x,t) be the wave function. The time-dependent Schrödinger equation is:
𝜕𝛹 ħ2 𝜕2 𝛹
𝑖ħ = −( ) + 𝑉(𝑥)𝛹 …… ………………...………….. (1)
𝜕𝑡 2𝑚 𝜕𝑥 2
Taking the complex conjugate:
𝜕𝛹∗ ħ2 𝜕2 𝛹∗
−𝑖ħ = −( ) + 𝑉(𝑥)𝛹 ∗ ……………………………. (2)
𝜕𝑡 2𝑚 𝜕𝑥 2
Probability Density
The probability density is:
ρ(x,t) = Ψ*(x,t) Ψ(x,t)
Taking the time derivative:
𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝛹 𝜕𝛹∗
= 𝛹∗ + 𝛹 ………………………………………….. (3)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡
Substitute equations (1) and (2):
𝜕𝛹 1 ħ2 𝜕 2 𝛹
= ( ) [− ( ) 2 + 𝑉𝛹]
𝜕𝑡 𝑖ħ 2𝑚 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝛹 ∗ 1 ħ2 𝜕 2 𝛹 ∗
= (− ) [− ( ) + 𝑉𝛹 ∗]
𝜕𝑡 𝑖ħ 2𝑚 𝜕𝑥 2
Substituting into (3) and simplifying:
𝜕𝜌 ħ 𝜕2𝛹 𝜕2𝛹 ∗
= (− ) (𝛹 ∗ 2 − 𝛹 )
𝜕𝑡 2𝑚𝑖 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2
Express as Divergence of Current
Using the identity:
𝜕2𝛹 𝜕2𝛹 ∗ 𝜕 𝜕𝛹 𝜕𝛹 ∗
𝛹∗ − 𝛹 = (𝛹 ∗ − 𝛹 )
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
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QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Therefore:
𝜕𝜌 𝜕 ħ 𝜕𝛹 𝜕𝛹 ∗
+ [( ) (𝛹 ∗ − 𝛹 )] = 0
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 2𝑚𝑖 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
Or Thus, the probability current density j(x,t) is defined as:
ħ 𝜕𝛹 𝜕𝛹 ∗
𝑗(𝑥, 𝑡) = ( ) (𝛹 ∗ − 𝛹 )
2𝑚𝑖 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
Q4b. Give three (3) Physical Interpretation of probability current density
i. Flow of probability
ii. Conservation of probability
iii. Continuity equation
Q4c. Define linear superposition of quantum states and explain its significance in quantum
system?
Linear superposition of quantum states means that a quantum system can exist in multiple
states at the same time until measured. If ψ₁ and ψ₂ are valid quantum states, their linear
combination (c₁ψ₁ + c₂ψ₂) is also a valid state.
Significance:
Foundation of Quantum Mechanics – Explains wave-like behavior of particles.
Quantum Interference – Essential for phenomena like the double-slit experiment.
Quantum Computing – Allows qubits to exist in multiple states, enabling superior
computation.
Entanglement & Communication – Key to quantum teleportation and secure data
transfer.
ALL TEST SOLUTIONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Q5a. An electron is accelerated through a potential difference of 100v. What its speed
1
mv2 =eV
2
M = 9.11x10-31 and e = 1.6x10-19
1
× 9.11 × 10−31 × 𝑉 2 = 1.6 × 10−19 × 100
2
9.11 × 10−31 𝑉 2
= 1.6 × 10−17
2
4.555 × 10−31 𝑉 2 = 1.6 × 10−17
Divided both side with coefficient V
1.6×10−17
𝑉2 =
4.555×10−31
𝑉 = √3.5126 × 1013
V = 5926738.977
V = 5.93 x 106m/s
Q5b. Calculate its De-Broglie wavelength
ℎ ℎ
𝜆= =
𝑝 𝑚𝑣
Using planks constant
ℎ 6.63 × 10−34
𝜆= =
𝑚𝑣 9.11 × 10−31 × 5.93 × 106
6.63 × 10−34
𝜆=
5.4 × 10−24
𝜆 = 1.23 × 10−10
𝜆 = 1.23Å
Q5c. List any 3 failure of classical mechanics that quantum mechanics successfully explain
1. Compton Effect 2. Blackbody Radiation 3. Photoelectric Effect
ALL TEST SOLUTIONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Q6.
Q7a. Write the formula for Reflection (R) and Transmission (T) coefficient at potential step.
Reflection Coefficient (R):
Where:
𝑘1 − 𝑘2 2
𝑅 = ( )
𝑘1 + 𝑘2
2𝑚𝐸
𝐾1 = √( ) Wave number in the initial region (before the step)
ħ2
2𝑚(𝐸− 𝑉𝑜 )
𝐾2 = √ → Wave number in the second region (after the step)
ħ2
Transmission Coefficient (T):
4𝑘1 𝑘2
T= (𝑘 2
1 +𝑘2 )
ALL TEST SOLUTIONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Q7b. Show the explicitly of T + R = 1
4𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘1 −𝑘2 2
T=
(𝑘1 +𝑘2 ) 2
and R=(
𝑘1 +𝑘2
)
Let add them
4𝑘1 𝑘2 + (𝑘1 −𝑘2 )2
T+R =
(𝑘1 +𝑘2 )2
But note that
(𝑘1 − 𝑘2 )2 = 𝑘1 2 − 2𝑘1 𝑘2 + 𝑘2 2
So:
4𝑘1 𝑘2 +𝑘1 2 −2𝑘1 𝑘2 +𝑘2 2 𝑘1 2 +2𝑘1 𝑘2 +𝑘2 2
T+R = =
(𝑘1 +𝑘2 )2 (𝑘1 +𝑘2 )2
(𝑘1 +𝑘2 )2
T+R = =1
(𝑘1 +𝑘2 )2
Q7c What is the condition for a particle to be in a bound state within a square well
potential?
1. Energy Condition – The particle's total energy EE must be less than the potential
outside the well
E<V0
2. Quantization Condition – Only discrete energy levels are allowed, meaning the
particle cannot have arbitrary energy but must satisfy:
KL=nπ
Q8a Define wave packet
A wave packet is a localized quantum state formed by the superposition of multiple waves
with different wavelengths. It represents a particle with an uncertain position and momentum,
following the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
ALL TEST SOLUTIONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS (PHY305) BY MHARUNA
Q8b. what is the de-Broglie’s wave length of an electron travelling with a speed of
3x10^6m/sec.
To calculate the de Broglie wavelength (λ) of an electron moving with speed v=3×106 m/s, we
use the de Broglie equation:
ℎ
𝜆=
𝑝
where:
−34
h = Planck's constant = 6.626×10 Js
p = momentum of the electron = mv (mass × velocity)
-31
m = mass of an electron = 9.11×10 kg
6
v = velocity of the electron = 3× 10 m/s
First, calculate momentum:
P = mv = (9.109×10−31)(3×106)
P = 2.7327×10−24 kg·m/s
Now, calculate wavelength:
6.626 × 10−34
𝜆=
2.7327 × 10−24
λ≈2.42×10−10 m or 0.242 nm
