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Ch 40: Quantum Mechanics I: Wave Functions
Young & Freedman Calc - University Physics 14th Edition
Young & Freedman Calc14th EditionUniversity PhysicsISBN: 9780321973610Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 40, Problem 19

An electron is in a box of width 3.0×10103.0\(\times\)10^{-10} m. What are the de Broglie wavelength and the magnitude of the momentum of the electron if it is in (a) the n=1n = 1 level; (b) the n=2n = 2 level; (c) the n=3n = 3 level? In each case how does the wavelength compare to the width of the box?

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Step 1: Understand the problem. The electron is confined in a one-dimensional box of width \( L = 3.0 \times 10^{-10} \; \text{m} \). The energy levels of the electron are quantized, and its de Broglie wavelength and momentum are related to the quantum number \( n \). We need to calculate the de Broglie wavelength \( \lambda \), the momentum \( p \), and compare \( \lambda \) to the width of the box for \( n = 1, 2, 3 \).
Step 2: Recall the relationship between the de Broglie wavelength and the width of the box. For a particle in a box, the de Broglie wavelength is given by \( \lambda = \frac{2L}{n} \), where \( n \) is the quantum number. Substitute \( L = 3.0 \times 10^{-10} \; \text{m} \) into this formula to calculate \( \lambda \) for each value of \( n \).
Step 3: Use the relationship between momentum and wavelength. The de Broglie wavelength is related to the momentum by \( \lambda = \frac{h}{p} \), where \( h \) is Planck's constant \( h = 6.626 \times 10^{-34} \; \text{J·s} \). Rearrange this formula to find the momentum: \( p = \frac{h}{\lambda} \). Use the values of \( \lambda \) from Step 2 to calculate \( p \) for each \( n \).
Step 4: Compare the de Broglie wavelength to the width of the box. For each quantum number \( n \), calculate the ratio \( \frac{\lambda}{L} \) to determine how the wavelength compares to the box's width. This will help us understand the relationship between the quantum state and the spatial confinement of the electron.
Step 5: Summarize the results. For each \( n \), report the calculated de Broglie wavelength \( \lambda \), the momentum \( p \), and the ratio \( \frac{\lambda}{L} \). Discuss how the wavelength decreases as \( n \) increases and how this reflects the increasing energy and momentum of the electron in higher quantum states.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

de Broglie Wavelength

The de Broglie wavelength is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that relates the wavelength of a particle to its momentum. It is given by the formula λ = h/p, where λ is the wavelength, h is Planck's constant, and p is the momentum of the particle. This concept illustrates the wave-particle duality of matter, indicating that particles like electrons exhibit wave-like properties.
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Quantum Levels

Quantum levels, or energy levels, refer to the discrete states of energy that an electron can occupy in a quantum system, such as an atom or a box. Each level is associated with a specific quantum number (n), which determines the energy and spatial distribution of the electron. The allowed wavelengths of the electron in a box are quantized, meaning only certain wavelengths corresponding to these levels are permitted.
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Momentum of a Particle

Momentum is a vector quantity defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity (p = mv). In quantum mechanics, the momentum of a particle like an electron can also be expressed in terms of its wavelength using the de Broglie relation. Understanding momentum is crucial for analyzing the behavior of particles in confined spaces, such as a box, where their movement is restricted.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

(a) An electron with initial kinetic energy 3232 eV encoun­ters a square barrier with height 4141 eV and width 0.250.25 nm. What is the probability that the electron will tunnel through the barrier?

(b) A proton with the same kinetic energy encounters the same barrier. What is the probability that the proton will tunnel through the barrier?

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Textbook Question

An electron with initial kinetic energy 6.06.0 eV encounters a barrier with height 11.011.0 eV. What is the probability of tunneling if the width of the barrier is (a) 0.800.80 nm and (b) 0.40 0.40 nm?

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Textbook Question

Recall that (ψ2)dx(|ψ|^2)dx is the probability of finding the par­ticle that has normalized wave function ψ(x)ψ(x) in the interval xx to x+dxx+dx. Consider a particle in a box with rigid walls at x=0x = 0 and x=Lx = L. Let the particle be in the ground level and use ψnψ_n as given in Eq. (40.3540.35) ψn(x)=2Lsin[(nπxL)]\(\psi\)_{n}(x)=\(\sqrt{\frac{2}{L}\)}sin[(\(\frac{n\pi x}{L}\))] where n=1,2,3,n=1,2,3,\(\ldots\).

(a) For which values of xx, if any, in the range from 00 to LL is the probability of finding the particle zero?

(b) For which values of xx is the probability highest?

(c) In parts (a) and (b) are your answers consistent with Fig. 40.1240.12? Explain.

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Textbook Question

(a) Find the excitation energy from the ground level to the third excited level for an electron confined to a box of width 0.3600.360 nm.

(b) The electron makes a transition from the n=1n = 1 to n=4n = 4 level by absorbing a photon. Calculate the wave­length of this photon.

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Textbook Question

An electron in a one­-dimensional box has ground ­state energy 2.002.00 eV. What is the wavelength of the photon absorbed when the electron makes a transition to the second excited state?

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Textbook Question

An electron with initial kinetic energy 5.05.0 eV encoun­ters a barrier with height U0U_0 and width 0.600.60 nm. What is the transmission coefficient if (a) U0=7.0U_0 = 7.0 eV; (b) U0=9.0U_0 = 9.0 eV; (c) U0=13.0U_0 = 13.0 eV?

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