Assignment 1

Deadline for submission: 23rd August 2021 11:59 PM

1. A particle constrained to move along the x-axis in the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ L has a wave
function ψ(x) = sin(nπx/L), where n is an integer. Normalize the wave function and
evaluate the expectation value of its momentum.

2. The wave function of a particle of mass m moving in a potential V(x) is Ψ(x, t) =

Aexp(−ikt − km
h̄
x2 ) where A and k are constants. Find the explicit form of the potential
V(x).

3. For a one-dimensional bound particle, show that

R∞
(a) dtd −∞ Ψ∗ (x, t)Ψ(x, t)dx = 0, Ψ need not be a stationary state.
(b) If the particle is in a stationary state at a given time, then it will always remain in
a stationary state.

hΨ| = i a∗i hi| gives

P P
P if ∗|Ψi = i ai |ii, taking the corresponding bra Rto be
4. Verify that
hΨ|Ψi = i ai ai , and that the same result is obtained from Ψ∗ (x)Ψ(x)dx

5. By expanding in the basis {|ii}, verify that if Q̂ |αi = |γi , then hγ| = hα| Q̂∗ .

6. Verify that Qij |ii hj| is equivalent to Q̂ if Qij = hi| Q̂ |ji.

7. Verify that if we expand |Ψi as ψ(x) |xi and similarly for |Φi , then hΦ|Ψi = φ(x)∗ ψ(x).
R R

( Hint: you will need to use a different integration variable, say x0 , in the expansion of
|Φi )

8. A and B are two operators defined by Aψ(x) = ψ(x) + x and Bψ(x) = dψ(x)/dx + 2ψ(x).
Check for their linearity.

9. If A and B are Hermitian operators, show that (i) (AB + BA) is Hermitian, and (ii) (AB
– BA) is non-Hermitian.

10. If operators A and B are Hermitian, show that i [A, B] is Hermitian. What relation must
exist between operators A and B in order that AB is Hermitian?

11. Show that (i) Operators having common set of eigen-functions commute; (ii) commuting
operators have common set of eigen-functions

12. Show that the commutator [x, [x, H]] = –h̄2 /m, where H is the Hamiltonian operator.

13. Prove the following commutation relations:

(a) [x, px ] = [y, py ] = [z, pz ] = ih̄

(b) [x, y] = [y, z] = [z, x] = 0
(c) [px , py ] = [py , pz ] = [pz , px ] = 0

14. Prove the following:

(a) If ψ1 and ψ2 are the eigen-functions of the operator A with the same eigenvalue,
c1 ψ1 + c2 ψ2 is also an eigen-function of A with the same eigenvalue, where c1 and
c2 are constants.

1
 (b) If ψ1 and ψ2 are the eigen-functions of the operator A with distinct eigenvalues, then
c1 ψ1 + c2 ψ2 is not an eigen-function of the operator A, c1 and c2 being constants.

15. If x and px are the coordinate and momentum operators, prove that [x, pnx ] = nih̄pn−1
x .

16. Evaluate the commutator (i) [x, p2x ], and (ii) [xyz, p2x ].

17. If the wave function for a system is an eigen-function of the operator associated with the
observable A, show that hAn i = hAin

18. The operator eA is defined by,

A A2 A3
e =1+A+ + + ... (1)
2! 3!
Show that eD = T1 , where D = d/dx and T1 is defined by T1 f (x) = f (x + 1)

19. Find the eigenvalues and eigen-functions of the operator d/dx.

d2 2 d
20. Find the eigen-functions and nature of eigenvalues of the operator dx2
+ x dx