4.quantum Mechanics - GATE PDF

fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics

QUANTUM MECHANICS SOLUTIONS
GATE- 2010
Q1. Which of the following is an allowed wavefunction for a particle in a bound state? N is
a constant and  ,   0 .
e r
(a)   N (b)   N 1  e r 
r3
(c)   Ne x e   x  (d)   0non - zero constant if r  R
2
 y2 z2
 if r  R
Ans: (c)
Q2. A particle of mass m is confined in the potential
1
 m x ,
2 2
for x  0
V  x   2
 , for x  0
Let the wavefunction of the particle be given by
1 2
 x     0  1 ,
5 5
where  0 and  1 are the eigenfunctions of the ground state and the first excited state
respectively. The expectation value of the energy is

31 25 13 11
(a)  (b)  (c)  (d) 
10 10 10 10
Ans: (a)
Solution: For half parabolic potential
3 7 1 3 4 7 31
E0   , E1    E          .
2 2 5 2 5 2 10
2
Q3. For a spin-s particle, in the eigen basis of S , S x the expectation value sm S x2 sm is
(a)

 2 s s  1  m 2  
(b)  2 s s  1  2m 2 
2

(c)  s s  1  m 2
2
 (d)  2 m 2
Ans: (a)
1 1
sm  S  S   sm  sm S2  S 2  S  S   S  S  sm
2
Solution: sm S x2 sm 
4 4
 
2
1 
 sm S S   S  S  sm 
4 2
s s  1  m 2  S S  S S  2 S 2  S z2 
   
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Q4. A particle of mass m is confined in an infinite potential well:
0, if 0  x  L,
V  x  
 , otherwise.
 2x 
It is subjected to a perturbing potential V p  x   Vo sin   V x 
 L 
within the well. Let E 1 and E  2 be corrections to the ground
V p x 
state energy in the first and second order in V0 , respectively. L
0
Which of the following are true?
(a) E 1  0; E  2  0 (b) E 1  0; E  2  0
(c) E 1  0; E  2 depends on the sign of V0 (d) E 1  0; E  2  0

Ans: (a)
2
2
L
2x  m VP  1
Solution: E   V0 sin
1
1 dx  0 ; E12    E1  E m so E12  ve .
L0 L m 1 E1  Em
GATE- 2011
Q5. The quantum mechanical operator for the momentum of a particle moving in one
dimension is given by
d d  2 d 2
(a) i (b)  i (c) i (d) 
dx dx t 2m dx 2
Ans: (b)
Q6. An electron with energy E is incident from left on a potential V x 
barrier, given by
V0
0, for x  0
V  x   E
V0 , for x  0
as shown in the figure. For E < V0, the space part of the x
0
wavefunction for x > 0 is of the form
(a) e ax (b) e ax (c) eiax (d) e iax
Ans: (b)
Solution:  E  V0 , so there is decaying wave function.
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Q7. If Lx, Ly and Lz are respectively the x, y and z components of angular momentum operator
L. The commutator [Lx Ly, Lz] is equal to
(a) i L2x  L2y  (b) 2iLz (c) i L2x  L2y  (d) 0
Ans: (c)
 
Solution: Lx L y , Lz = Lx Ly Lz   Lx , Lz Ly = iL2x  L2y 
Q8. The normalized ground state wavefunciton of a hydrogen atom is given by

1 2 r / a
 r   e , where a is the Bohr radius and r is the distance of the electron
4 a
3/ 2
1
from the nucleus, located at the origin. The expectation value 2 is
r
8 4 4 2
(a) 2 (b) 2 (c) 2 (d) 2
a a a a
Ans: (d)
1 4  1 2  2ar  2 2
Solution: 2  3  2
r e dr   sin  d d  2
r 4 a 0 r 0 0 a
Q9. The normalized eigenstates of a particle in a one-dimensional potential well
0 if 0  x  a
V  x  
 otherwise
2  nx 
are given by  n  x   sin   , where n = 1, 2, 3,….
a  a 
The particle is subjected to a perturbation
 x  a
V0 cos   , for 0  x 
V ' x    a  2
0 , otherwise

The shift in the ground state energy due to the perturbation, in the first order perturbation
theory,
2Vo Vo Vo 2Vo
(a) (b) (c)  (d) 
3 3 3 3
Ans: (a)
a/2
x
sin 3
 x   x 
a/2 a/2
2 2 2V0
Solution: E11   V x  dx   sin  V0 cos dx  V0 a 
* 2
1 1
a  a  a a  3
0 0 3
a 0
Common data questions Q10 and Q11

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In a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, 0 , 1 and 2 are respectively the ground, first
and the second excited states. These three states are normalized and are orthogonal to one
another  1 and  2 are two states defined by
 1  0  21  3 2 ,  2  0  1  2 ,  2  0  1   2
where  is a constant
Q10. The value of  which  2 is orthogonal to  1 is
(a) 2 (b) 1 (c) – 1 (d) – 2
Ans: (c)
Solution: For orthogonal condition scalar product  2 , 1   0 , so 1  2  3  0    1
Q11. For the value of α determined in Q10, the expectation value of energy of the oscillator in
the state  2 is
(a)  (b) 3 / 2 (c) 3 (d) 9 / 2

Ans: (b)
 3 5
2 H 2  
Solution:  2  0  1  2 put   1 , H   2 2 2  3 
2 2 3 2
GATE- 2012
Q12. A particle of mass m is confined in a two dimensional square well potential of
dimension a. This potential V(x, y) is given by
V(x, y) = 0 for –a < x < a and –a < y < a
= ∞ elsewhere
The energy of the first excited state for this particle is given by,
 2 2 2 2  2 5 2  2 4 2  2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
ma 2 ma 2 8ma 2 ma 2
Ans: (c)
 2 2  2 2 5 2  2
Solution: E   nx2  n y2   nx2  n y2    n x  1, n y  2 .
2m  2a 
2
8ma 2 8ma 2
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 
Q13. Consider the wavefunction    r1 , r2  s for a fermionic system consisting of two spin-
half particles. The spatial part of the wavefunction is given by
 
 r1 , r2  
1
1 r1  2 r2    2 r1 1 r2 
2
where 1and 2 are single particle states. The spin part χs of the wavefunction with spin
states   1 / 2 and - 1/2  should be
1 1
(a)     (b)     (c) αα (d) ββ
2 2
Ans: (b)
Solution: Since  r1 , r2  is symmetric the total wavefunction must be antisymmetric for fermions
so spin part must be antisymmetric.
Q14. A particle is constrained to move in a truncated harmonic potential well (x > 0) as shown
in the figure. Which one of the following statements is CORRECT?
(a) The parity of the first excited state is even
Vx
(b) The parity of the ground state is even
1
(c) the ground state energy is 
2
7 x
(d) The first excited state energy is 
2
Ans: (d)
3 7
Solution: There is only odd parity. Ground state is  and first excited  
2 2
Q15. Consider a system in the unperturbed state described by the Hamiltonian, H0  1 0 .
0 1 
  
The system is subjected to a perturbation of the form H '    , where   1 . The
  
energy eigenvalues of the perturbed system using the first order perturbation
approximation are
(a) 1 and (1 + 2δ) (b) (1 + δ) and (1 - δ)
(c) (1+ 2δ) and (1 - 2δ) (d) (1+ δ) and (1 - 2δ)
Ans: (a)
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Solution: H 0  H  , H0 is degenerate so after using degenerate perturbation through diagonalized
 2 0 1 0  2 0
H  one will get H     , H      .
0 0 0 1  0 0
So E  1  2 and 1 0 .
Q16. The ground state wavefunction for the hydrogen atom is given by
3/ 2
1  1 
 100    e  r / a0 , where a0 is the Bohr radius. The plot of the radial probability
4  a 0 
density, P(r) for the hydrogen atom in the ground state is
(a) P(r) (b) P(r)
r/a 0 r/a 0
(c) P(r) (d) P(r)
r/a 0 r/a 0
Ans: (d)
3/ 2
1 1
Solution: The ground state is given by  100    e r / a0
4  a0 
Radial probability function
P(r)
1 1 2 2 r / a0
Pr    r 2 =
2
r e
4 a03
r/a 0
Common Data for Questions 17–18
The wavefunction of particle moving in free space is given by,   eikx  2e  ikx  
Q17. The energy of the particle is
5 2 k 2 3 2 k 2 2k 2 2k 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2m 4m 2m m
Ans: (c)
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    
2 2 2
Solution: H  E , H    ik  ik  eikx  2  ik  ik  eikx 
2m x 2
2m
 2 k 2 ikx 2 k 2
 H  (e  2e 2ikx )  
2m 2m
Q18. The probability current density for the real part of the wavefunction is
k k
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d) 0
m 2m
Ans: (d)
Solution: The real part of the wave function real  cos kx  2 cos kx
Current density for real part of wave function = 0
GATE- 2013
Q19. Which one of the following commutation relations is NOT CORRECT? Here, symbols
have their usual meanings.
 
(a) L2 , L z  0  
(b) L x , L y  iL z
(c) L z , L   L (d) L z , L   L

Ans: (d)
Q20. A proton is confined to a cubic box, whose sides have length 10 12 m . What is the
minimum kinetic energy of the proton? The mass of proton is 1.67  10 27 kg and
Planck’s constant is 6.63  10 34 Js .

(a) 1.1  10 17 J (b) 3.3  10 17 J (c) 9.9  10 17 J (d) 6.6  10 17 J
Ans: (c)
3 2  2
Solution: 2
 9.9 1017
2ma
Q21. A spin-half particle is in a linear superposition 0.8   0.6  of its spin-up and spin-
down states. If  and  are the eigenstates of  z , then what is the expectation value
up to one decimal place, of the operator 10 z  5 x ? Here, symbols have their usual
meanings. _______________
Ans: 7.6
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1  0   0.8 
Solution:   .8   .6   0.8    0.6     
0  1   0.6 
1 0  0 1 10 5 
Operator A  10  z  5 x  10    5   A 
 0 1   1 0   5 10 
 10 5   0.8 
A   A    0.8 0.6      =  8.8  1.2   7.6
 5 10   0.6 
Q22. Consider the wave function Ae i k r r0 / r  , where A is the normalization constant.
For r  2r0 , the magnitude of probability current density up to two decimal places, in
 
units of A 2 k / m is _____________
Ans: 0.25
2 2
 k 2 r k 2 r k 2 k 2 k
  0.25  A
2
Solution: J    A 0 J A 0 J A
m r m 2r0 m 4m m
Common data questions 23 and 24

5 2 0 
To the given unperturbed Hamiltonian 2 5 0
0 0 2
1 1 1
we add a small perturbation given by  1 1  1 where  is small quantity.

1  1 1 
Q23. The ground state eigenvector of the unperturbed Hamiltonian is


(a) 1 / 2 ,1 2 ,0  
(b) 1 / 2 ,1 / 2 ,0 
(c) 0,0,1 (d) 1,0,0 
Ans: (c)
5 2 0 1 1 1
   
H 0   2 5 0  , H P    1 1  1
0 0 2 1  1 1 
 
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Eigen value of H 0 is E1  2, E2  3, E3  7 and the Eigen vector corresponds
0 1 1

1   1  
to 1   0  , 2  1 , 3  1 .
1 2   2  
  0 0
Q24. A pair of eigenvalues of the perturbed Hamiltonian, using first order perturbation theory,
is
(a) 3  2 ,7  2 (b) 3  2 ,2   (c) 3, 7  2 (d) 3, 2  2
Ans: (c)
Solution: E1  1 H P 1  1  E1  2  1
1 1 1 1 1
  1  
E2  2 H P 2 
1
1  1 0. 1 1  1.   1   0 0 1  1  0
2 1  1 1  2  0  0
     
1 1 1  1 1
1   1   1  
E3  3 H P 3  1 1 0  . 1 1 1 .  1  =  . 2 2 0. 1 
2 1 1 1  2  0  2  0
     
1
 E 3  4  2
2
E1  2  1 , E 2  3  0 , E3  7  2 .
GATE- 2014
Q25. The recoil momentum of an atom is p A when it emits an infrared photon of wavelength
1500 nm , and it is p B when it emits a photon of visible wavelength 500 nm . The ratio
pA
is
pB
(a) 1 : 1 (b) 1 : 3 (c) 1 : 3 (d) 3 : 2

Ans: (c)
h p A B  B 500
Solution: p  ,  ,  =1 : 3
 pB A  A 1500
Q26. The ground state and first excited state wave function of a one dimensional infinite
potential well are  1 and  2 respectively. When two spin-up electrons are placed in this
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potential which one of the following with x1 and x2 denoting the position of the two
electrons correctly represents the space part of the ground state wave function of the
system?
1 1
(a)  1 x1  2 x1    1 x2  2 x2  (b)  1 x1  2 x2    1 x2  2 x1 
2 2
1 1
(c)  1 x1  2 x1    1 x2  2 x2  (d  1 x1  2 x 2    1 x 2  2 x1  )
2 2
Ans: (d)
Solution: From the given information only possible spin configuration is symmetric in nature so
space part will anti symmetric
1
 1 x1  2 x 2    1 x 2  2 x1 
2
 
Q27. If L is the orbital angular momentum and S is the spin angular momentum, then L.S
does not commute with
 
(a) S z (b) L2 (c) S 2 
(d) L  S  2
Ans: (d)
Q28. An electron in the ground state of the hydrogen atom has the wave function
 r 
  
 1
 r  

 a0 
e , where a0 is constant. The expectation value of the operator
a 03
Qˆ  z 2  r 2 , where z  r cos  is
 n  n  1! )
(Hint: 0
e  ar r n dr 
a n 1

a n 1
 a 02  3a 02
(a) (b)  a 02 (c) (d)  2a02
2 2
Ans: (d)
Solution: Qˆ  z 2  r 2  a02  3a02  2a02
Q29. A particle of mass m is subjected to a potential

1
V  x, y  
2
 
m 2 x 2  y 2 ,    x  ,  y  
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The state with energy 4  is g  fold degenerate. The value of g is ______
Ans: 4
Solution: This is two isotropic dimensional harmonic oscillator the energy eigen value for nth
state is E n  (n  1) with degeneracy g n  (n  1) so degeneracy for 4  is 4 .
Q30. A hydrogen atom is in the state
8 3 4
  200   310   321 ,
21 7 21
where n, l , m in  nl m denote the principal, orbital and magnetic quantum numbers,

respectively. If L is the angular momentum operator, then the average value of L2
is_______  2
Ans: 2
Solution: If L2 will measure on state  the measurement is 0 2 , 2 2 and 6 2 with probability
8 3 4 3 4
, , so, L2  2 2   6 2  = 2 2
21 7 21 7 21
1
Q31.  1and 2 are two orthogonal states of a spin system. It is given that
2
1 1 2 0 1 0
1      , where   and   represent the spin-up and spin-down states,
3 0 3 1  0 1
respectively. When the system is in the state  2 its probability to be in the spin-up state
is_______
2
Ans:
3
1 1 2 0 2 1 1  0
Solution: If is  1      , then  2      ,
3 0 3  1  3  0 3  1 
2
so probability that  2 is in up state is
3
Q32. A particle is confined to a one dimensional potential box, with the potential
0, 0 xa
V  x  
 , otherwise
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If particle is subjected to a perturbation within the box. W   x . Where  is small
constant, the first order correction to the ground state energy is
(a) 0 (b) a / 4 (c) a / 2 (d) a
Ans: (c)
Solution: First order energy correction is W   x . The average value of position in ground
a
state is x  so answer is a / 2
2
Q33. A one dimensional harmonic oscillator is in the superposition of number state n given
1 3
by   2  3 .
2 2
The average energy of the oscillator in the given state is______  .
Ans: 3.25
1 5 3 7 
  
Solution: Average energy will 4 2 4 2  3.25
1 3

4 4
Q34. If L and L are the angular momentum ladder operators then the expectation value of
L L  L L  in the state l  1, m  1 of an atom is _____  2
Ans: 2
Solution: L L  L L   2( L2  L2z )  2(l.(l  1)  m 2 ) 2 = 2 2
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GATE- 2015
1  
Q35. An operator for a spin particle is given by Â    B , where
2
 B 
B  xˆ  yˆ  ,  denotes Pauli matrices and  is a constant. The eigenvalues of Â are
2
B
(a)  (b)  B (c) 0, B (d) 0,   B
2
Ans.: (b)
   B
Solution: Aˆ     , B  xˆ  yˆ 
2
Aˆ    x Bx   y By   z Bz   Aˆ    x Bx   y By 
 0 1  B  0 i  B  B  0 1 i
Aˆ         Aˆ   
 1 0  2  i 0  2  2 1  i 0 
 B   1  i 
A   I  0     0      B
2 1  i  
1   
Q36. The Pauli matrices for three spin  particles are  1 ,  2 and  3 , respectively. The
2
  
dimension of the Hilbert space required to define an operator Oˆ   1   2   3 is_______
Ans.: 8
Solution:  2   3 has dimension of 4 and  1.  2   3 has dimension of 2  4  8
 
Q37. Let L and p be the angular and linear momentum operators, respectively, for a a particle.

The commutator L x , p y gives 
(a) i pz (b) 0 (c) i px (d) i pz
Ans.: (d)
Solution:  Lx , p y    ypz  zp y , p y    ypz , p y    zp y , p y    y, p y  pz
  p y , p y   0 and  z , p y   0   Lx , p y   ipz   y, p y   i
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3
Q38. Consider a system of eight non-interacting, identical quantum particles of spin  in a
2
one dimensional box of length L . The minimum excitation energy of the system, in units
 2 2
of is ________
2mL2
Ans.: 5
3  3 
Solution: spin  degeneracy   2S  1   2   1  4
2  2 
 22 4 2  2 20 2  2
Eground  4   4 
2mL2 2mL2 2mL2
st  22  22  22  2 2
I
Eexcited  4  3 4  1 9  25
2mL2 2mL2 2mL2 2mL2
st  22  22  2 2
Now minimum excitation energy E  Eexcited
I
 Eground  25  20 5
2mL2 2mL2 2mL2
Q39. A particle is confined in a box of length L as shown in the figure. If the
potential V0 is treated as a perturbation, including the first order
correction, the ground state energy is
 2 2  2  2 V0
(a) E   V0 (b) E   V0
2mL2 2mL2 2 L/2
 
2 2
V  
2
V 2
(c) E  2
 0 (d) E  2
 0
2mL 4 2mL 2
Ans.: (d)
 L2 
2 x 2 x
L
2  
Solution: E0    V0 sin
1
dx   0  sin dx 
L 0 L L
 L
2

L L
2 V0  2 x 
2
V0   2 x  L  2
E   1  cos dx  
1
 x sin   
 L  2  0
0
L 2 0 L  L 
V0  2 2 V0
 E01  E 
2 2mL2 2
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 
Q40. Let the Hamiltonian for two spin-½ particles of equal masses m , momenta p1 and p2
 
and positions r1 and r2 be H 
1 2
2m
p1 
1 2 1
2m
  
 
p 2  m 2 r12  r22  k 1   2 , where  1
2

and  2 denote the corresponding Pauli matrices,   0.1eV and k  0.2 eV . If the
ground state has net spin zero, then the energy (in eV ) is ___________
Ans.: 0.3
1 2 1 2 1  
Solution: H  p1  p2  m 2  r12  r22   k 1. 2
2m 2m 2
    2      2
   1   2     12   22  2 1. 2  2 1. 2     12   22
   
 2 1. 2  0  3I  3I  6 I   1. 2  3
3
Now energy E  2    k  3  3   0.1   0.2  3  0.3 eV
2
Q41. Suppose a linear harmonic oscillator of frequency  and mass m is in the state

1  i 
  
 0  e 2
 1  at t  0 where  0 and  1 are the ground and the first
2 

excited states, respectively. The value of  x  in the units of at t  0 is _____
m
Ans. : 0
i
1  
Solution:     0  e 1 
2
2 
 
 x  
2m
 a  a†     x  
2m
  a    a†  
1 i2 1  i

a   e 0 and a †   
 1  2 e 2
2 
2 2 
  1 1 i2 1 1  i2 
  x   e    e 1 1 
2m  2 2
0 0
2 2 

  x  0  0
2m
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GATE-2016
Q42. Which of the following operators is Hermitian?
d d2 d2 d3
(a) (b) 2 (c) i 2 (d) 3
dx dx dx dx
Ans. : (b)
Q43. The scattering of particles by a potential can be analyzed by Born approximation. In
particular, if the scattered wave is replaced by an appropriate plane wave, the
corresponding Born approximation is known as the first Born approximation. Such an
approximation is valid for
(a) large incident energies and weak scattering potentials.
(b) large incident energies and strong scattering potentials.
(c) small incident energies and weak scattering potentials.
(d) small incident energies and strong scattering potentials.
Ans.: (a)
Q44. Consider an elastic scattering of particles in l  0 states. If the corresponding phase shift
 0 is 900 and the magnitude of the incident wave vector is equal to 2 fm 1 then the
total scattering cross section in units of fm 2 is _______.

Ans.: 2
4
2 
Solution:   2l  1 sin  0 for l  0 , it is given  0  90 0 and k  2 fm 1
k l 0
4
 sin 90  2
2
Q45. A hydrogen atom is in its ground state. In the presence of a uniform electric field

E  E0 zˆ , the leading order change in its energy is proportional to  E0  . The value of
n
the exponent n is _______.

Ans.: 2
Solution: First order energy correction is zero  1,0,0 E0 r cos   1,0,0  0
2
 n,l ,m E0 r cos   1,0,0
So one need to find correction of second   E02
n 1 E10  Em0
So value of n  2
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 
Q46. If s1 and s2 are the spin operators of the two electrons of a He atom, the value of
 
s1 .s 2 for the ground state is
3 3 1 2
(a)   2 (b)   2 (c) 0 (d) 
2 4 4
Ans.: (b)
   1 1   s s  1 2  s1 s1  1 2  s 2 s 2  1 2
Solution: s  s1  s2 , s1  , s1  , s  0,1 , s1 .s 2 
2 2 2
3 3
2 2   2   2
  4 4  3 2
For s  1, s1  s2 
2 4
3 3
0 2   2   2
  4 4   3 2
s  0, s1  s2 
2 4
Q47. A two-dimensional square rigid box of side L contains six non-interacting electrons at
T  0 K . The mass of the electron is m . The ground state energy of the system of
 2 2
electrons, in units of is _________.
2mL2
Ans.: 24
Solution: 2 
1 2

 12  2  2
 4
2 2

 12  2  2

24 2  2
2mL2 2mL2 2mL2
Q48.  x ,  y and  z are the Pauli matrices. The expression 2 x y   y x is equal to
(a)  3i z (b)  i z (c) i z (d) 3i z

Ans.: (c)
Solution: 2 x y   y x   x y   x y   y x   x y  i z
Q49. If x and p are the x components of the position and the momentum operators of a
particle respectively, the commutator x 2 , p 2 is  

(a) i  xp  px  (b) 2i  xp  px  (c) i  xp  px  (d) 2i  xp  px 
Ans.: (d)
     
Solution: x 2 , p 2  p x 2 , p  x 2 p p  2ipx  2ixp  2i  xp  px 
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
Q50. Let l, m be the simultaneous eigenstates of L2 and L z . Here L is the angular
momentum operator with Cartesian components L x , L y , L z , l is the angular momentum
quantum number and m is the azimuthal quantum number. The value of
1, 0 ( Lx  iLy ) 1, 1 is
(a) 0 (b)  (c) 2 (d) 3

Ans.: (c)
Solution: 1, 0 ( Lx  iLy 1, 1  1, 0 L 1, 1  2 1, 0 1, 0  2
Q51. For the parity operator P , which of the following statements is NOT true?
(a) P†  P (b) P 2   P (c) P 2  I (d) P †  P 1
Ans.: (b)
Q52. The state of a system is given by   1  2  2  3 3 , where 1 , 2 and 3 form
an orthonormal set. The probability of finding the system in the state  2 is ________.
(Give your answer upto two decimal places)

Ans. : 0.28
22 4 4 2
Solution: Probability that  in state 2      0.28
2 2
1 2 32
1  4  9 14 7
Q53. A particle of mass m and energy E , moving in the positive x
V0
direction, is incident on a step potential at x  0 , as indicated in the
E
figure. The height of the potential is V0 , where V0  E . At x  x0 ,
1
where x0  0 , the probability of finding the electron is times the
e x0 x  x0
2mV0  E 
probability of finding it at x  0 . If   , the value of x0 is
2
2 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
  2 4
Ans.: (c)
1 1
Solution:  e 2 x0  e 1  e 2 x0  x0 
e 2
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GATE- 2017
Q54. The Compton wavelength of a proton is…………….. fm. (up to two decimal places).
Ans. : 3  108
Solution:  m p  1.67 1027 kg , h  6.626  1034 Js, e  1.602  1019 C , c  3 108 ms 1 
p2 1 2
Q55. A one dimensional simple harmonic oscillator with Hamiltonian H 0   kx is
2m 2
subjected to a small perturbation, H1   x   x 3   x 4 . The first order correction to the
ground state energy is dependent on
(a) only  (b)  and  (c)  and  (d) only 
Ans. : (d)
Solution: H1   x   x 3   x 4 , E1g   x   x3   x 4 , x  0, x3  0, x 4  0
  
Q56. For the Hamiltonian H  a0 I  b . where a0  R, b is a real vector, I is the 2  2

identity matrix, and  are the Pauli matrices, the ground state energy is
(a) b (b) 2a0  b (c) a0  b (d) a0
Ans. : (c)
  1 0 0 1  0 i   1 0   a0  bz bx  iby 
Solution: a0 I  b .  a0  
 xb 
 yb 
 zb  
0 1 1 0 i 0   0 1  bx  iby a0  bz 
   a0  bz bx  iby 
H  a0 I  b .   
 bx  iby a0  bz 
 a0  bz   bx  iby 
For eigen value  0
 bx  iby a0  bz   
 a0  bz    a0  bz      bx2  by2   0
1  a0  b , 1  a0  b
Q57. The degeneracy of the third energy level of a 3-dimensional isotropic quantum harmonic
oscillator is
(a) 6 (b) 12 (c) 8 (d) 10
Ans. : (a)
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Solution: First energy level is n  0
Second energy level is n  1
Third energy level is n  2
Degeneracy of third level

 n  1 n  2   3  4  6
2 2
Q58. A free electron of energy 1eV is incident upon a one-dimensional finite potential step of
height 0.75eV . The probability of its reflection from the barrier is…………. (up to two
decimal places).
Ans. : 0.11
2 2
 E  E  V0   1  0.25   1  0.5 2
Solution: R           0.11
 
 E  E  V0   1  0.25   1  0.5 
Q59. Consider a one-dimensional potential well of width 3nm . Using the uncertainty principle
 
 x  p   , an estimate of the minimum depth of the well such that it has at least one
 2
bound state for an electron is ( me  9.311031 kg , h  6.626 1034 Js, e  1.602  1019 C )
(a) 1  eV (b) 1meV (c) 1eV (d) 1MeV

Ans. : (b)
p2  
Solution: E  , p   p 
2m 2x 2a
 
2
2 h2 6.6  1034
So, E    31 18
 .0011019 J  1 meV
8ma 2
32 ma
2 2
32 10  9.3110  9 10

x e
2  x2
Q60. The integral dx is equal to……….. (up to two decimal places).
0
Ans. : 0.44

x
2
Solution: The given integral is 2
e  x dx
0
dt
Let x 2  t then 2 xdx  dt  dx 
2 t
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Thus, the given integral can be written as
  
dt 1  t 1/ 2 1  t 32 1 1 3 1 1 1 
0 t e 2 t  2 0 e t dt  2 0 e t dt  2   2   2  2   2   4
t
Hence the value of the integral up to two decimal places is 0.44 .

Q61. Which one of the following operators is Hermitian?
(a) i
p x x
2
 x 2 px 
(b) i
p x x
2
 x 2 px 
2 2
(c) ei px a (d) e  i px a
Ans. : (a)
Solution: A  i
p x x
2
 x 2 px 
, A  i
†
 p x    x p    i  p x  x p 
x
2 † 2
x
†
x
2 2
x
2 2 2
GATE-2018
Q62. The ground state energy of a particle of mass m in an infinite potential well is E0 . It
 22
 
changes to E0 1   103 , when there is a small potential pump of height V0 
50 mL2
and width a  L /100 , as shown in the figure. The value of  is ________ (up to two
decimal places). V  x
x a
V0
L
Ans. : 0.81
L a L a L
Solution: 1     ,  2     , a 
 2 2  2 2 100
2 2
 2 2 x 
E1  V0    sin   dx
1  L  L 
2 
V  2 x  V  L 2 x  2
 0
L  1  cos L  dx  L0  x 
2
sin
L 1
1
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V  L  2  L  a  2  L  a   
 0 a   sin  sin 
L  2  2L 2L  
V0  L L   a    a  
    sin      sin     
L 100 2   L   L  
 1
 0.0314  0.0314 
1
 V0  
100 2 
 20 
 V0 103 10  10   E0 103      E0 103  0.81 E0 103
 25 
Hence,   0.81
Q63. A two-state quantum system has energy eigenvalues   corresponding to the normalized
1
states   . At time t  0 , the system is in quantum state        . The
2
probability that the system will be in the same state at t  h /  6  is _________ (up to
two decimal places).

Ans. : 0.25
1
Solution:   0         
2
1  
it it

And   t   
  e 
   e 

2 

At t  ,
6
ih 2 ih 2  i i
1    1  
 t   
  e 6h
  e 6h
  
  e 3
   e 3

2  2 
Now, probability in same state
2
 t    0 1 2 1 
2
1 1
2
P  e  i / 3  ei / 3  2 cos   2  0.25

 4 4 3 4 2
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GATE-2019

Q64. An electric field E  E0 zˆ is applied to a Hydrogen atom in n  2 excited state. Ignoring
spin the n  2 state is fourfold degenerate, which in the l , m basis are given by
0, 0 , 1,1 , 1, 0 and 1, 1 . If H  is the interaction Hamiltonian corresponding to the
applied electric field, which of the following matrix elements is nonzero?

(a) 0, 0 H  0, 0 (b) 0, 0 H  1,1
(c) 0, 0 H  1, 0 (d) 0, 0 H  1, 1
Ans. : (c)
1
Q65. For a spin particle, let  and  denote its spin up and spin down states
2
respectively. If a 
1
2

     and b  1
2
 
     are composite
states of two such particles, which of the following statements is true for their total spin
S?
(a) S  1 for a and b is not an eigenstate of the operator Ŝ 2
(b) a is not an eigenstate of the operator Ŝ 2 and S  0 for b
(c) S  0 for a , and S  1 for b
(d) S  1 for a , and S  0 for b
Ans. : (d)
Solution: S  1 is triplet a , and S  0 for singlet for b
Q66. The Hamiltonian for a quantum harmonic oscillator of mass m in three dimensions is
p2 1
H  m 2 r 2
2m 2
where  is the angular frequency. The expectation value of r 2 in the first excited state of

the oscillator in units of (rounded off to one decimal place) is___________
m
Ans. : 2.5
Solution: r 2  x 2  y 2  z 2
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 

2m 
 
 2nx  1  2n y  1   2nz  1
For first excited state nx  1, n y  0, nz  0
Hence it is triply degenerate one can take

nx  0, n y  1, nz  0 or nx  0, n y  0, nz  1
5  
putting any one combination, expectation value of r 2   2.5
2 m m
1  0
Q67. Let  2    ,  2    represent two possible states of a two-level quantum system.
0 1 
The state obtained by the incoherent superposition of  1 and  2 is given by a density
matrix that is defined as   c1  1  1  c2  2  2 . If c1  0.4 and c2  0.6 , the matrix
element  22 (rounded off to one decimal place) is __________
Ans. : 0.6
Solution:  2,2   2   2    c1  2  1  1  2  c2  2  2  2  2
 c2  0.6
Q68. The wave function   x  of a particle is as shown below

  x
d d
K
x
a/2 a/2
Here K is a constant, and a  d . The position uncertainty  x  of the particle is
a 2  3d 2 3a 2  d 2 d2 d2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
12 12 6 24
Ans. : (b)
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 a d a d
k ,  2  2  x   2  2

 0,  a  d  x  a  d
 2 2 2 2
Solution:   x   
 k, a  d  x  a  d
 2 2 2 2
 a d
 0,  0
 2 2
  1
a d a d
  
2 2 2 2
k2  dx  k a d dx  1
2
a d
  
2 2 2 2
 a d   a d    a d   a d  
k 2            k 2           1
 2 2   2 2    2 2   2 2  
d d d d  1
k2      1 k 
2 2 2 2 2d
Hence wavefunction is symmetric about x  0 , so x  0
a d a d
  
2 2 2 2
x2  k 2  x dx  k a d x dx
2 2 2
a d
  
2 2 2 2
k2  3 ad   
a d
  x  a d   x  a d 
3 2 2
 2 2
3   
2 2 2 2 
 

k2 
 a  d    a  d    a  d    a  d  
3 3 3 3

3 8  

k2
24
    
 a3  d 3  3a 2 d  3ad 2  a3  d 3  3a 2 d  3ad 2  a 3  d 3  3a 2 d  3ad 2 
 
 a 3  d 3  3ad  a  d  

x 2

k2
 4a  12a d  
3 2
4d d 2  3a 2 


3a 2  d 2
24   24  2d 12
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2 3a 2  d 2
x  x2  x 
12
Q69. Consider the motion of a particle along the x - axis in a potential V  x   F x . Its ground
state energy E0 is estimated using the uncertainty principle. Then E0 is proportional to
(a) F 1/ 3 (b) F 1/ 2 (c) F 2 / 5 (d) F 2 / 3

Ans. : (d)
p2 p2 p2
Solution: E  F x E  Fx for x  0 E   Fx  0 from uncertainty theory
2m 2m 2m

x.p    p 
x
 p 2  F 2
E  x   E   F x
2m  x 
2
2m
For minimum energy,

1/ 3 2/3 1/ 3
dE 2  2   2  mF   2 
  F  0  x      F   E  F 2/3
d x m  x 
3
 mF  2m   2   mF 
E 0
Q70. The Hamiltonian operator for a two-level quantum system is H   1  . If the state
0 E2 
1 1 2
of the system at t  0 is given by   0     then   0    t  at a later time t
2 1
is
(a)
1
2

1  e  E1  E2 t /   (b)
1
2

1  e  E1  E2 t /  
1 1
(c)
2
1  cos  E1  E2  t /   (d)
2
1  cos  E1  E2  t /  
Ans. : (c)
 iE t 
 exp 1 
1 1 1 
Solution:   0      t    
2 1 2 iE2t 
 exp 
  
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2
1 iE t iE t 1
 exp 1  exp  2  1  cos  E1  E2  t /  
2
  0  t 
4   2
Q71. Consider a potential barrier V  x  of the form:

V  x
V  x  
V0
x0 xa xb x
where V0 is a constant. For particles of energy E  V0 incident on this barrier from the
left which of the following schematic diagrams best represents the probability density
  x  as a function of x ?
2
  x   x
2 2
(a) (b)
x0 xa xb x x0 xa xb x
  x   x
2 2
(c) (d)
x0 xa xb x x0 xa xb x

Ans. : (a)
1  
Q72. The Hamiltonian of a system is H    with   1 . The fourth order contribution
  1 
to the ground state energy of H is  4 . The value of  (rounded off to three decimal
places) is_________.
Ans. : 0.125
1  
 the eigen value of the hamiltonion is Eg   1   , E f   1  
2 2
Solution: H  
  1 
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The ground state is Eg   1   2
 2 4  2 4
Taylor expansion of  1   2   1   .....   1   .....
 2 8  2 8
1
   0.125
8
Q73. Electrons with spin in the z - direction  ẑ  are passed through a Stern-Gerlach (SG) set
up with the magnetic field at   600 from ẑ . The fraction of electrons that will emerge
with their spin parallel to the magnetic field in the SG set up (rounded off to two decimal
places) is___________
 0 1  0 i   1 0 
 x   ,  y   ,  z   
 1 0 i 0   0 1  
Ans. : 0.25
 cos 600   1/ 2  1 1 1
Solution:       state related to up state is ,     
 sin 600  2 2 0
   3 / 2
The fraction of electrons that will emerge with their spin parallel to the magnetic field
2 1
   0.25
4
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fiziks

respectively. The expectation value of the energy is

(c) E 1  0; E  2 depends on the sign of V0 (d) E 1  0; E  2  0

Q8. The normalized ground state wavefunciton of a hydrogen atom is given by

Common data questions Q10 and Q11

(a)  (b) 3 / 2 (c) 3 (d) 9 / 2

(a) P(r) (b) P(r)

(c) P(r) (d) P(r)

(c) L z , L   L (d) L z , L   L

Planck’s constant is 6.63  10 34 Js .

Common data questions 23 and 24

Q23. The ground state eigenvector of the unperturbed Hamiltonian is

0 1 1

(a) 1 : 1 (b) 1 : 3 (c) 1 : 3 (d) 3 : 2

Solution: Qˆ  z 2  r 2  a02  3a02  2a02

Q29. A particle of mass m is subjected to a potential

L L  L L  in the state l  1, m  1 of an atom is _____  2

total scattering cross section in units of fm 2 is _______.

the exponent n is _______.

(a)  3i z (b)  i z (c) i z (d) 3i z

particle respectively, the commutator x 2 , p 2 is  

momentum operator with Cartesian components L x , L y , L z , l is the angular momentum

quantum number and m is the azimuthal quantum number. The value of

(a) 0 (b)  (c) 2 (d) 3

(Give your answer upto two decimal places)

Degeneracy of third level

(a) 1  eV (b) 1meV (c) 1eV (d) 1MeV

Hence the value of the integral up to two decimal places is 0.44 .

two decimal places).

P  e  i / 3  ei / 3  2 cos   2  0.25

0, 0 , 1,1 , 1, 0 and 1, 1 . If H  is the interaction Hamiltonian corresponding to the

applied electric field, which of the following matrix elements is nonzero?

(b) a is not an eigenstate of the operator Ŝ 2 and S  0 for b

(c) S  0 for a , and S  1 for b

(d) S  1 for a , and S  0 for b

Hence it is triply degenerate one can take

matrix that is defined as   c1  1  1  c2  2  2 . If c1  0.4 and c2  0.6 , the matrix

element  22 (rounded off to one decimal place) is __________

Q68. The wave function   x  of a particle is as shown below

Here K is a constant, and a  d . The position uncertainty  x  of the particle is

state energy E0 is estimated using the uncertainty principle. Then E0 is proportional to

(a) F 1/ 3 (b) F 1/ 2 (c) F 2 / 5 (d) F 2 / 3

For minimum energy,

Q71. Consider a potential barrier V  x  of the form:

x0 xa xb x

x0 xa xb x x0 xa xb x

x0 xa xb x x0 xa xb x

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