Unit-4

Quantum Mechanics
Recap

Classical mechanics is described by

1. Maxwell’s equations
2. Newton laws
3. Photoelectric effect
4. all the above
5. none of the above
Recap

Which of the following characteristics distinguish quantum

particles form classical particles?
1. Dual character of radiation and matter
2. Uncertainty in measurement of physical quantities
3. Discreetness of physical quantities
4. all the above
5. none of the above
▶ Classical mechanics: theory of macroscopic world
Example: Motion of a car, cricket ball, earth, galaxies, etc
▶ Quantum mechanics: theory of microscopic world (Also
applicable to macroscopic level)
Example: subatomic particles such as electron.
Classical mechanics

▶ The configuration of a particle is given by its position and

momentum.
▶ All other quantities related to the particle can be found once
position and momentum is defined.
Quantum mechanics

▶ Physical quantities are not exactly predictable

▶ Unpredictable-Not human inability-but the very nature of the
world
▶ Physical quantities are in superposition of multiple
positions-Not an assumption-the true nature.
▶ Uncertainty in measurement of two quantities.
Recap

Which of the following statements is true?

1. Wave functions are used to represent both classical and
quantum particles.
2. Wave function should be a complex function because the
nature of world is uncertain
3. Wave functions can be used to find energy of a particle
4. a and b
5. a and c
Postulates of quantum mechanics

The configuration of a particle can be specified by a wave function

ψ.
▶ The wave function is a complex function
▶ Singular
▶ Obey superposition principle
▶ Finite
▶ Position probability density
▶ should be normalizable
Recap

A wave function should be

1. Complex
2. Non normalizable
3. Both a and b
Recap

Which of the following statements is true?

1. In CP, the description of a particle is given by its position and
momentum
2. In QM, the description of a particle is given by a wave function
3. Wave function can be used to describe classical particle.
4. all the above
5. none of the above
Recap

Which of the following statements is true?

1. Quantum mechanical wavefunctions are real physical entities
2. In CM, the order of measurement of physical quantities are
not important.
3. both a and b
Recap

True or False?
Position probability density represent the density of quantum
particle in a given volume
Recap

Which of the following is suitable for a quantum mechanical wave

function?
The condition for Nromalization
Schrodinger time independent wave equation

The following general form of wave function is assumed:

Diff the above equation with respect to x for two times.

Particle in a box