Question

What is the physical meaning of Schrodinger's wave function? (b). Calculate the minst three energy levels of an electron in an infinite potential well. Consider an electron in an infinite potential well of width 5 Å.

Answer 1

Explanation:

(a) The Schrodinger's wave function represent the position of a particle at a particular instant of time. It is also known as the probability amplitude. It is also used to find the location of a particle.

(b) The width of a potential well, $l=5\ A=5\times 10^{10}\ m$

For first energy level, n = 1

Energy in infinite potential well is given by :

$E=\dfrac{n^2h^2}{8ml}$

$E=\dfrac{(1)^2\times (6.63\times 10^{-34})^2}{8\times 9.1\times 10^{-31}\times 5\times 10^{10}}$

E = 0.0120 Joules

For second energy level, n = 2

$E=\dfrac{n^2h^2}{8ml}$

$E=\dfrac{(2)^2\times (6.63\times 10^{-34})^2}{8\times 9.1\times 10^{-31}\times 5\times 10^{10}}$

E = 0.0483 Joules

For third energy level, n = 3

$E=\dfrac{n^2h^2}{8ml}$

$E=\dfrac{(3)^2\times (6.63\times 10^{-34})^2}{8\times 9.1\times 10^{-31}\times 5\times 10^{10}}$

E = 0.108 Joules

Hence, this is the required solution.