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QM · Quantum mechanics and atomic physics

GRE · GRE Subject Test · GRE 物理 · 知识点 5

训练
5.1

量子力学与原子物理

A particle in a box cannot have zero ground-state kinetic energy. Its confinement changes what states are allowed.

Prerequisites: 24, 37, 38, 39.

  • Use wavefunctions, operators and measurement probabilities
  • Solve standard bound-state models and tunnelling reasoning
  • Apply angular momentum, spin and atomic spectral principles
5.2

Choose the system and model

A state wavefunction 波函数 must satisfy the model’s boundary conditions and have total probability one: integrate |ψ(x)|² over the allowed domain. For orthonormal states φ_j, a superposition ψ=Σc_jφ_j has norm squared Σ|c_j|² because the cross terms integrate to zero. Thus an equal superposition of N orthonormal states has coefficient magnitude 1/sqrt(N). The probability of finding one constituent energy is |c_j|², not c_j. Relative phases may affect position probabilities even when energy probabilities are unchanged.

词汇 训练
English 中文 拼音
wavefunction 波函数 bō hán shù
5.3

Use the governing relation

An observable is represented by a Hermitian operator 算符. Its eigenvalues are real, and a normalised state gives expectation value ⟨A⟩=∫ψ* Aψ dx. The expectation is an average over repeated preparations, not necessarily the result of one measurement. If A satisfies a polynomial identity, apply it to an eigenstate: for A⁴=I, a real eigenvalue must be +1 or −1. A complex fourth root is excluded by Hermiticity even though it solves the polynomial.

词汇 训练
English 中文 拼音
operator/ˈɒpəreɪtə/ 算符 suàn fú
5.4

Apply the conditions

For an infinite well 0<x<L, ψ(0)=ψ(L)=0 allows sine modes sin(nπx/L), with n=1,2,… . Their energies are E_n=n²π²$\hbar$²/(2mL²), so the ground state is not zero and doubling L divides every energy by four. The equivalent h expression is n²h²/(8mL²); never substitute h for $\hbar$ without its 2π factor. A finite barrier instead permits exponential tails, and a travelling wave in a classically allowed region has oscillatory rather than exponentially decaying spatial dependence.

5.5

Check the conclusion

Operators commute when [A,B]=AB−BA=0; compatible observables can have a common eigenbasis. Since kinetic energy p²/(2m) is a function of p, it commutes with p. A position-dependent potential generally makes H=p²/(2m)+V(x) fail to commute with p. Angular momentum obeys [J_x,J_y]=i$\hbar$J_z and cyclic permutations, while J² commutes with each component. Atomic transitions exchange positive photon energy equal to a level difference; angular momentum and mechanism-specific selection rules restrict which transitions occur.

5.6

Worked method

An infinite well extends from 0 to L. Vanishing wavefunction at both ends gives

$$\psi_n=\sqrt{2/L}\sin(n\pi x/L),\qquad E_n=n^2\pi^2\hbar^2/(2mL^2).$$
Prepare $\psi=(\psi_1+i\psi_2)/\sqrt2$. Orthogonality makes its norm one. Energy measurements give E1 or 4E1 with equal probability:
$$\langle E\rangle=\tfrac12E_1+\tfrac12(4E_1)=\tfrac52E_1.$$
This average is not an allowed single energy result. The relative phase changes in time, so a superposition of different energies is not a stationary state.

Quantum mechanics and atomic physics: GRE original diagram
Quantum mechanics and atomic physics: original GRE teaching diagram.
5.7

Check conditions and vocabulary

A stationary state can have a nonzero energy even though its probability density is time-independent.

normalisation 归一化: Making total probability equal to one.

operator: A mathematical action representing an observable.

词汇 训练
English 中文 拼音
normalisation/ˌnɔːməlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ 归一化 guī yī huà

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