Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 40 - One-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics - Exercises and Problems - Page 1213: 9

Answer

${\bf 0.383}\;\rm nm$

Work Step by Step

We are given that the electron's energy is $ 1.50 \; \rm{eV} $ in a potential well of depth $ 2.00 \; \rm{eV} $, and we need to find the distance into the classically forbidden region where the amplitude of the wave function decreases to 25% of its value at the edge of the well. We know that the wave function decaying is given by $$ \psi(x) = \psi_{\rm edge} \;e^{-(x-L)/\eta} $$ So when $ \psi(x) = 0.25 \psi_{\rm edge}$, $$ 0.25 \color{red}{\bf\not} \psi_{\rm edge}= \color{red}{\bf\not} \psi_{\rm edge} \;e^{-(x-L)/\eta} $$ Hence, $$ 0.25= \;e^{-(x-L)/\eta} $$ Taking the natural logarithm of both sides: $$ \ln(0.25) = -\frac{x-L}{\eta} $$ Solve for $ x-L $: $$ x-L = -\eta \ln(0.25)\tag 1 $$ Now we need to find $\eta$; $$ \eta = \frac{\hbar}{\sqrt{2m(U_0 - E)}} $$ Plug into (1); $$ x-L = -\ln(0.25) \; \dfrac{\hbar}{\sqrt{2m(U_0 - E)}} $$ Plug the given with converting eV to J. $$ x-L = -\ln(0.25) \; \dfrac{(1.055 \times 10^{-34})}{\sqrt{2(9.11\times 10^{-31})(2- 1.5)\times 1.6\times 10^{-19}}} $$ $$ x-L=\color{red}{\bf 0.383}\;\rm nm $$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.