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 41 - Atomic Physics - Exercises and Problems - Page 1245: 31

Answer

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Work Step by Step

We know that the 2p radial wave function is given by: $$ R_{2p}(r) = A_{2p} \left( \frac{r}{2a_B} \right) e^{-r/2a_B}\tag 1 $$ And we know that the normalization condition for the three-dimensional hydrogen atom is: $$ \int_0^\infty P_r(r) dr = 4\pi \int_0^\infty r^2 |R_{2p}(r)|^2 dr = 1 $$ Substituting $ R_{2p}(r) $ from (1); $$ P_r(r) = \color{red}{\bf\not} 4\pi A_{2p}^2 \int_0^\infty \left( \frac{r^2}{\color{red}{\bf\not} 4a_B^2} \right) e^{-r/a_B} r^2 dr=1 $$ $$ \frac{ \pi A_{2p}^2}{ a_B^2} \int_0^\infty r^4 e^{-r/a_B}=1\tag 2 $$ Use the given hint; $ \int_0^\infty x^n e^{-\alpha x} \, dx $: $$ \int_0^\infty x^n e^{-\alpha x} dx = \frac{n!}{\alpha^{n+1}} $$ where $ n = 4 $, $ \alpha = \dfrac{1}{a_B} $ So the integral becomes: $$ \int_0^\infty r^4 e^{-r/a_B} dr = \frac{4!}{\left( \dfrac{1}{a_B}\right)^5} = 24\; a_B^5 $$ Plug into (2); $$ \frac{ \pi A_{2p}^2}{ a_B^2} \cdot 24\; a_B^5=1 $$ $$ 24\pi A_{2p}^2 a_B^3=1 $$ Solving for $ A_{2p} $: $$ \boxed{A_{2p} = \left( 24\pi a_B^3 \right)^{-1/2}} $$
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