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Problems & Solutions

4.0

1-D Box
SET- 01

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

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[Date]
1. The normalized spatial wavefunction for quantum numbers (𝑛𝑥 , 𝑛𝑦 , 𝑛𝑧 ) is

8 𝑛𝑥 𝜋𝑥 𝑛𝑦 𝜋𝑦 𝑛𝑧 𝜋𝑧
𝜓𝑛𝑥,𝑛𝑦,𝑛𝑧 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = √ sin ( ) sin ( ) sin ( )
𝐿3 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿

Which of the following is the correct value of

𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 2
∫ ∫ ∫ |𝜓𝑛𝑥,𝑛𝑦,𝑛𝑧 | 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧?
0 0 0

1
(a)1 (b) 8/𝐿3 (c) (d) 𝐿3
2

2. In a square 2 D box, the state (𝑛𝑥 , 𝑛𝑦 ) = (2,1) is considered. Which of the following
operations leaves the probability density |𝜓|2 invariant?
(i) Reflection about 𝑥 = 𝐿/2
(ii) Reflection about 𝑦 = 𝐿/2
(iii) Rotation by 𝜋/2(90∘ ) about the center
(iv) Interchange of 𝑥 and 𝑦

(a) i & ii Only (b) i & iii Only (c) iii Only (d) ii Only

3. Consider a particle in a 1-D box of length L . For large 𝑛 the probability density |𝜓𝑛 (𝑥)|2
oscillates rapidly. The local average over many oscillations approximates a constant.
What is the pointwise average of |𝜓𝑛 (𝑥)|2 over one oscillation cycle, and what does that
imply for the probability of finding the particle in an interval [𝑎, 𝑏] with 𝑏 − 𝑎 large
compared to the oscillation period but small compared to 𝐿 ?

(a) averaged value = 0 so probability ∼ 0

(b) averaged value = 1/𝐿 so probability ≈ (𝑏 − 𝑎)/𝐿

(c) averaged value = 2/𝐿 so probability ≈ 2(𝑏 − 𝑎)/𝐿

(d) averaged value depends on 𝑛

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4. Initial normalized state
(𝜓1 + 𝜓4 )
Ψ=
√2
.A position measurement finds the particle in the interval [𝐿/4, 𝐿/2]. Immediately
afterwards an energy measurement is performed. What is the probability that the
energy measurement yields 𝐸1 ? (Pick the closed form.)

𝐿/2 2
(∫𝐿/4 𝜓1 Ψ𝑑𝑥) 1 2
(a) 𝐿/2
(b) (c) (𝑑)𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜
∫𝐿/4 |Ψ|2 𝑑𝑥 2 3

5. Consider a particle in a 1-D box of length L. For a particle in a highly excited state ( 𝑛 ≫
1 ), the probability of finding it in a very small interval 𝛿𝑥 at the center of the box ( 𝑥 =
𝐿/2 ) is approximately:

2 1 4
(a) 0 (b) 𝛿𝑥 (c) 𝛿𝑥 (d) 𝛿𝑥
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿

6. The wavefunction of a particle in a box is prepared such that its probability density is
constant: |𝜓(𝑥)|2 = 1/𝐿 for 0 < 𝑥 < 𝐿. What is the probability that an energy
measurement will yield the ground state energy 𝐸1 ?

8 1 1
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d)
𝜋2 2 √2

7. A particle of mass m is confined within a two-dimensional rectangular infinite potential

well with sides of length 𝐿 and 2𝐿. The system is prepared in the state characterized by
quantum numbers nx = 2 and 𝑛𝑦 = 1. If a measurement is performed to locate the
particle within the region defined by 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿/2 and 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝐿, what is the
probability that the particle will be found there?

1 1 1 1 1 1
(a) (b) −𝜋 (c) (d) + 2𝜋
2 2 4 4

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8. Consider a particle of mass m in a one-dimensional infinite square well potential of
width 𝐿. The system is initially in the ground state. At time 𝑡 = 0, the potential is
suddenly changed to a Weak Dirac delta function well, 𝑉 (𝑥) = −𝛼𝛿 (𝑥 − 𝐿/2), where
𝛼 > 0 is a constant. What is the probability that the particle remains bound in the new
ground state of the delta function well?

2
8 ℏ2 8 𝑚𝛼𝐿 8 ℏ2 8 𝑚𝛼𝐿 2
(a ) ( ) (b) 2 ( 2 ) (c) 2 ( ) (d) ( 2 )
𝜋 𝑚𝛼𝐿 𝜋 ℏ 𝜋 𝑚𝛼𝐿 𝜋 ℏ

9. particle of mass m is subjected to a one-dimensional potential given by:

∞ for 𝑥 < 0
𝑉(𝑥) = {0 for 0 < 𝑥 < 𝐿
𝑉0 for 𝑥 > 𝐿

where 𝑉0 > 0. The particle has energy 𝐸 = 𝑉0 /2. What is the probability that a
measurement of position will find the particle in the classically forbidden region (𝑥 >
𝐿) ?where

√2𝑚𝐸 √2𝑚(𝑉0 − 𝐸 )
𝑘1 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘2 =
ℏ ℏ

1 1
(a ) (b)
k 𝑘2 k 𝑘2
1 + ( 22 + 22 ) 1 + ( 2 2 − 22 )
cos 𝑘1 𝐿 𝑘1 sin 𝑘1 𝐿 𝑘1

1 1
(c ) (d)
k2 𝑘22 k2 𝑘22
1+( 2 − ) 1+( 2 + )
cos 𝑘1 𝐿 𝑘12 sin 𝑘1 𝐿 𝑘12

10. A particle of mass m is in the ground state of a one-dimensional infinite square well
potential of width 𝐿. At time t = 0, the wall at 𝑥 = 𝐿 is suddenly moved to 𝑥 = 2𝐿, so
that the well suddenly doubles in size. What is the probability that the particle will be
found in the ground state of the new expanded well?
8√2 16 32 64
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3𝜋 9𝜋2 9𝜋2 9𝜋2

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11. Consider a particle in a one-dimensional infinite square well from −𝐿/2 to 𝐿/2. The
system is in the state described by the wavefunction 𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑥 (𝐿2 /4 − 𝑥 2 ), where 𝐴 is
the normalization constant. What is the expectation value of the energy in this state?

10 ℏ2 21 ℏ2 21ℏ2 21ℏ2
(a ) (𝑏 ) (𝑐 ) (𝑑 )
𝑚𝐿2 𝑚𝐿2 2𝑚𝐿2 10 𝑚𝐿2

12. A particle of mass m is subjected to a potential 𝑉 (x) = − 𝛼[𝛿 (x + a) + 𝛿 (x − a)], with

𝛼 > 0. What is the number of bound states supported by this potential?

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3

13. A particle of mass m is subjected to a potential 𝑉(𝑥) = −𝛼𝛿(𝑥), where 𝛼 > 0 is a

constant. The wavefunction for the bound state is known to be 𝜓(𝑥) = √𝑘(𝑒 −𝑘|𝑥| ), with
energy
ℏ2 𝜅 2
𝐸=−
2𝑚
and 𝜅 = 𝑚𝛼/ℏ2
What is the expectation value of the kinetic energy operator, ⟨𝑇⟩, for this state?

(a) -E (b) −2E (c) 𝐸 (d) 2𝐸

14. A particle of mass 𝑚 is confined in an infinite potential well of width 𝐿 defined by

𝑉(𝑥) = 0 for 0 < 𝑥 < 𝐿 and 𝑉(𝑥) = ∞ otherwise. The system is prepared in a non-
1
stationary state described by the wavefunction Ψ(𝑥, 0) = [𝜓1 (𝑥) + 𝜓3 (𝑥)], where
√2

𝜓𝑛 (𝑥) are the energy eigenstates. The expectation value of energy ⟨𝐸⟩ at 𝑡 = 0 is
measured. Subsequently, the wavefunction collapses to the ground state 𝜓1 (𝑥) upon a
measurement of energy. What is the probability that a subsequent measurement of the
particle's position will find it in the leftmost quarter of the well, i.e., in the region 0 <
𝑥 < 𝐿/4 ?
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
(a) − (b) − (c) − (d) −
4 2𝜋 2 𝜋 2 2𝜋 4 4𝜋

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15. A particle is in a superposition of the first two states in a one-dimensional infinite well:
1
Ψ(𝑥) = [𝜓1 (𝑥) + 𝜓2 (𝑥)]
√2
What is the expectation value of the position ⟨𝑥⟩ at time 𝑡 = 0 ?

(a) 𝐿/2 (b) 𝐿/4 (c) 3𝐿/8 (d) 𝐿/𝜋

16. Consider the wavefunction Ψ(𝑥) = 𝑁𝑒 −|𝑥|/𝑎 𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 , where 𝑁 is the normalization constant,
and 𝑎 and 𝑘 are real, positive constants. Which of the following graphs most accurately
represents the probability density |Ψ(𝑥)|2 as a function of 𝑥 ?

(a) A symmetric exponential decay curve, 𝑒 −2|𝑥|/𝑎 , centered at 𝑥 = 0.

(b) A constant function.

(c) A Gaussian function centered at 𝑥 = 0.

(d) A complex oscillatory function with an envelope that decays exponentially from 𝑥 =
0.

17. A particle is incident from the left on a potential step defined by 𝑉(𝑥) = 0 for 𝑥 < 0 and
𝑉(𝑥) = 𝑉0 for 𝑥 > 0, with energy 𝐸 < 𝑉0 . Which figure correctly depicts the real part of
the stationary state wavefunction 𝜓(𝑥) ?

(a) For 𝑥 < 0 : a sinusoidal wave. For 𝑥 > 0 : a sinusoidal wave with a smaller
wavelength.

(b) For 𝑥 < 0 : a sinusoidal wave. For 𝑥 > 0 : a real exponential decay.

(c) For 𝑥 < 0 : a decaying exponential. For 𝑥 > 0 : a sinusoidal wave.

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 (d) For 𝑥 < 0 : a sinusoidal wave plus a reflected sinusoidal wave of smaller amplitude.
For 𝑥 > 0 : a real exponential decay.

18. A wavefunction is given by Ψ(𝑥, 𝑡 = 0) = 𝐴[𝜙1 (𝑥) + 2𝜙2 (𝑥)], where 𝜙1 (𝑥) and 𝜙2 (𝑥)
are the first two normalized energy eigenfunctions of a Hamiltonian with eigenvalues
𝐸1 and 𝐸2 respectively.
Which of the following statements about the time evolution of the probability density
|Ψ(𝑥, 𝑡)|2 is TRUE?

(a) It remains constant in time.

(b) It oscillates with a single frequency 𝜔 = (𝐸2 − 𝐸1 )/ℏ.

(c) It oscillates with a single frequency 𝜔 = (2𝐸2 − 𝐸1 )/ℏ.

(d) It oscillates with a frequency 𝜔 = (𝐸2 + 𝐸1 )/ℏ.

19. The wavefunction for a particle is given by 𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐶sech(𝑥/𝑎), where sech(𝑢) =
1/cosh (𝑢) and 𝑎 is a constant. Which of the following best describes the shape of
|𝜓(𝑥)|2 ?

(a) A single peak at 𝑥 = 0 with a Gaussian-like decay.

(b) A constant function.

(c) A function with multiple peaks and nodes.

(d) A function that is periodic in 𝑥.

20. The wavefunction for a free particle in one dimension is a plane wave 𝜓𝑘 (𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 .
What is the correct plot of the current density 𝑗(𝑥) associated with this state?

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 (a) A function that oscillates sinusoidally with 𝑥.

(b) A constant function independent of 𝑥.

(c) An exponentially decaying function of 𝑥.

(d) Zero everywhere.

21. In a symmetric finite square well potential of depth V0 and width aa the bound state
energy levels are determined by solving the transcendental equations 𝜉tan (𝜉) = 𝜂 and

−𝜉cot (𝜉) = 𝜂, where 𝜉 = ka/2 = √(2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ))𝑎/(2ℏ) and 𝜂 = √(−2𝑚𝐸)𝑎/(2ℏ).If

the potential is modified such that its depth 𝑉0 is doubled and its width a is halved, the
number of bound states, compared to the original potential, will:

(a) Increase

(b) Decrease

(c) Remain the same

(d) The answer depends on the original values of V0 and a .

22. A particle of mass 𝑚 is moving in 1D Potential

−𝑉0 , |𝑥| < 𝑎

𝑉(𝑥) = { (𝑉 > 0, −𝑉0 < 𝐸 < 0)
0, |𝑥| ≥ 𝑎 0

Let 𝑘1 = √2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 )/ℏ and 𝜅2 = √2𝑚|𝐸|/ℏ. The bound-state energy/energies 𝐸 are

determined by

(a) 𝜅1 tan (𝜅1 𝑎) = 𝜅2 (even) and −𝜅1 cot (𝜅1 𝑎) = 𝜅2 (odd)

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 (b) 𝑘cot (𝜅1 𝑎) = 𝜅2 (even) and −𝜅1 tan (𝜅1 𝑎) = 𝜅2 (odd)

(c) 𝜅1 tan (𝜅1 𝑎) = −𝜅2 (even) and 𝜅1 cot (𝜅1 𝑎) = −𝜅2 (odd)

(d) tan2 (𝜅1 𝑎) = 𝜅2 2 /𝜅1 2 only

23. A particle of mass 𝑚 is moving in 1D Potential

∞, 𝑥 ≤ −𝑎
𝑉(𝑥) = {−𝑉0 , −𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎 (𝑉0 > 0, −𝑉0 < 𝐸 < 0)
0, 𝑥≥𝑎
With

2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚|𝐸|
𝑘1 = √ 𝑘2 = √
ℏ2 ℏ2

the bound-state energies satisfy

2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚|𝐸|

(a)√ 2
tan (2√ 2
𝑎) = √ 2
ℏ ℏ ℏ

2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚|𝐸|

(b)√ cot (2 √ 𝑎) =
ℏ2 ℏ2 ℏ2

2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚|𝐸|

(c)√ tan (2 √ 𝑎) = −
ℏ 2 ℏ 2 ℏ2

2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) 2𝑚|𝐸|

(d)√ cot (2 √ 𝑎) = −
ℏ2 ℏ2 ℏ2

24. Consider a particle in an infinite square well of width 𝑎, with initial wavefunction:
𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = sin2 ( ) , 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑎.
𝑎

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 If expanded in eigenfunctions

2 𝑛𝜋𝑥
𝜙𝑛 (𝑥) = √ sin ( )
𝑎 𝑎

then
𝑎
∫ |𝜓(𝑥)|2 𝑑𝑥
0

is proportional to:

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
1 1 1 1
(a) ∑ 2 (b) ∑ 4 (c) ∑ (d) ∑
𝑛 𝑛 (2𝑛 − 1)2 (2𝑛 − 1)6
𝑛=1 𝑛=1 𝑛=1 𝑛=1

25. The wavefunction of a particle in a 1-D box is given by

2 1 2𝜋𝑥 2 5𝜋𝑥 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 6𝜋𝑥

𝜓(𝑥, 0) = √ ( sin + sin + sin )
𝐿 √10 𝐿 √10 𝐿 √2 𝐿

Find possible energy outcomes and the average energy ⟨𝐸⟩.

142 𝜋 2 ℏ2
(a) Outcomes 𝐸2 , 𝐸5 , 𝐸6 with probabilities 0.1,0.4,0.5 and⟨𝐸⟩ =
5 2𝑚𝐿2

101 𝜋 2 ℏ2
(b) Outcomes 𝐸1 , 𝐸5 , 𝐸6 with probabilities 0.1,0.4,0.5 and⟨𝐸⟩ =
5 2𝑚𝐿2
90 𝜋 2 ℏ2
(c) Outcomes 𝐸2 , 𝐸4 , 𝐸6 with probabilities 0.1,0.4,0.5 and⟨𝐸⟩ =
5 2𝑚𝐿2

128 𝜋 2 ℏ2
(d) Outcomes 𝐸2 , 𝐸5 , 𝐸6 with probabilities 0.2,0.3,0.5 and⟨𝐸⟩ =
5 2𝑚𝐿2

26. The wave function of a particle in a one-dimensional infinite square well of width 𝐿 at a
certain time is given by:

1 𝜋𝑥 2𝜋𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = [2sin ( ) + sin ( )]
√5𝐿 𝐿 𝐿

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 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿, and 𝜓(𝑥) = 0 elsewhere.The probability of finding the particle in the
state with quantum number 𝑛 = 2 at this time is approximately:

(a) 10% (b) 20% (c) 36% (d) 64%

27. Consider a quantum particle subject to a three-dimensional confining potential.

Specifically, the particle is trapped inside an infinite potential well that defines a perfect
cube, with each side of length 𝐿. The walls of the well are impenetrable, meaning the
potential energy is zero inside the region 0 < 𝑥 < 𝐿, 0 < 𝑦 < 𝐿, 0 < 𝑧 < 𝐿 and becomes
infinite everywhere else. This forces the particle's wavefunction to vanish at all
boundaries.The system is in its quantum mechanical ground state, which is the state of
lowest possible energy.For this configuration, The expectation value of the observable
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 is

17 2 7 2 13 2 4
(a) 𝐿 (𝑏) 𝐿 (𝑐) 𝐿 (𝑑) 𝐿2
10 20 10 5

28. In a 2D square box of side 𝐿, the energy eigenvalues are

𝜋 2 ℏ2 2
𝐸𝑛𝑥,𝑛𝑦 = (𝑛 + 𝑛𝑦2 )
2𝑚𝐿2 𝑥
If a particle is in a superposition state
1 1
Ψ(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝜓1,2 (𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝜓2,1 (𝑥, 𝑦)
√2 √2

𝐿 𝐿
then what is the probability density |Ψ(𝑥, 𝑦)|2 at the center (𝑥 = , 𝑦 = ) ?
2 2
2
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d) Oscillatory in time
𝐿2 𝐿2

Answer Key
1. a 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. c 6. b 7. c 8. b 9. d 10. c
11. b 12. c 13. a 14. a 15. a 16. a 17. d 18. b 19. a 20. b
21. b 22. a 23. d 24. d 25. a 26. b 27. c 28. a

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📌Course Link - https://dphysics.akamai.net.in/new-courses/218?type=

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