Advanced Quantum Mechanics: Problem Sheet 1

Questions 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and are basic exercises and ellaboration of the lecture material.
Question 4 is a review of basic QM in 1d and 5 is a derivation of an important property
of the wave function, which exists also in 3-dimensions. Questions 1, 2, 3, 5 or similar
have been part of questions on past exams.

1. Using the definition of a Hermitian operator prove the following statements:

†
a) If  and B̂ are Hermitian operators, (i.e.,  = † , B̂ = B̂ † ), then ÂB̂ = B̂ Â.
b) If  and B̂ are Hermitian, then Ĉ = i [Â, B̂] is also Hermitian, where the
commutator is define as [Â, B̂] = ÂB̂ − B̂ Â.

2. Let us assume that the states |ψn i are the eigenstates of some Hermitian operator
 with eigenvalues λn and that they form an orthonormal basis, i.e.,

 |ψn i = λn |ψn i

Prove that the operator  can also be written as

X
 = |ψn i λn hψn |.
n

Hint: try acting with the operator on some arbitrary state |φi

3. For the three operators:

Z x
3
Ô1 ψ(x) = x ψ(x); Ô2 ψ(x) = x (∂/∂x) ψ(x); Ô3 ψ(x) = ψ(x′ ) dx′ ;
−∞

Find the commutators: [Ô1 , Ô2 ], [Ô2 , Ô3 ], [Ô1 , Ô3 ].

4. The wavefunction for a particle localized in a one-dimensional infinite well with

walls at x = 0 and x = L is given by
(
A sin( πn
L
x) e−iωn t , 0 < x < L,
ψn (x, t) =
0, otherwise,

where n is a positive integer called the mode number and ωn is the angular fre-
quence of the n’th mode. Find the normalization constant A.
5. Starting with the Schrödinger equation for a one-dimensional wavefunction ψ(x, t),

~2 ∂ 2
 
∂
i~ ψ(x, t) = − + V ψ(x, t) ,
∂t 2m ∂x2

where V is a real potential, derive the continuity equation

∂ρ ∂j
=−
∂t ∂x
i~ ∂ ∂


for the probability density ρ = |ψ|2 and the probability current j = 2m
ψ ∂x ψ ∗ − ψ ∗ ∂x ψ .

6. A particle is described by the wave function

(
Ce−x (1 − e−x ) for x > 0
ψ(x) =
0 for x < 0,

where C is a constant.

a) Determine the value of C that normalizes ψ(x),

b) Where is the particle most likely to be found? That is, for what value of x is
the probability of finding the particle the largest?
c) Calculate the average position hxi for the particle. Compare this result with
the most likely position, and comment on the difference.

7. A particle is described by the state |ψi with wave function

2 /2
hx|ψi = ψ(x) = Ce−αx

where C, α are constant and α > 0.

a) Determine the value of C that normalizes ψ(x),

b) Calculate the average position x̄ = hψ|x̂ψi for the particle and the variance
(∆x)2 = hψ|(x̂ − x̄)2 ψi.
c) Using that in the coordinate representation p̂ = −i∂x , calculate p̄ = hψ|p̂ψi for
the particle and the variance (∆p)2 = hψ|(p̂ − p̄)2 ψi.
d) Verify that Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is satisfied.
e) Optional: Calculate the momentum space representation of the state ψ(p) =
hp|ψi, by a Fourier transform.

2
8. Consider the state | ↑i = ( 10 ) ∈ C2 and the two Pauli matrices
   
1 0 1 2 0 −i
τ = , τ = ,
1 0 i 0

a) Calculate the average and variance of τ 1 in the state | ↑i

b) Calculate the average and variance of τ 2 in the state | ↑i
c) Verify that Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is satisfied.