PHYS 343 Assignment 3 Due Feb 8 1:30 PM

1. Analyze the odd bound-state wavefunctions for the finite square well potential
described by
Vo
V ( x) =
0

for a < x < a

for | x |> a

Derive the transcendental equation for the allowed energies, and determine (by
solving it graphically) the number of odd bound states for the case of an electron
with Vo = 1000 eV, and a=10 nm.
2. Consider a square well having an infinite wall at x = 0 and a wall of height U at
x=L (L>0). For the case E < U, obtain solutions to the Schrdinger equation
inside the well (0 x L) and in the region beyond (x > L) that satisfy the
appropriate boundary conditions at x = 0 and x = . Enforce the proper matching
conditions at x = L to find an equation for the allowed energies in the system. Are
there conditions for which no solution in possible? Explain.

3. A particle with energy E is incident on a rectangular potential barrier with height

Vo (E < Vo) and width a. The transmitted wave function has the form
trans = Fe i ( kx wt ) in the region x > a. Show that the probability density in the
region of the barrier (0<x< a) is given by
k
* =| F | 2 [cosh 2 (a x) + ( ) 2 sinh 2 (a x)]

where k =

2mE
and =
h2

2m(Vo E )
h2

0 for x < 0
4. (Serway 7-2) Consider the step potential U ( x) =
U for x > 0
in the case where E>U. (a) Examine the Schrdinger equation to the left of the
step to find the form of the solution in the range x < 0. Do the same to the right of
the step to obtain the solution form for x > 0. Complete the solution by enforcing
whatever boundary conditions may be necessary. (b) Obtain an expression for the
reflection coefficient R in this case, and show that it can be written in the form
(k k 2 ) 2
R= 1
( k1 + k 2 ) 2
where k1 and k2 are the wavenumbers for the incident and transmitted waves,
respectively. Also write an expression for the transmission factor T using the sum
rule obeyed by these coefficients. (c) Evaluate R and T in the limiting cases of
E U and E . Are the results sensible? Explain. (This situation is
analogous to the partial reflection and transmission of light striking an interface
separating two different media.)
5. (Serway 7-17) The attempt frequency of an alpha particle to escape the nucleus is
the number of times per second it collides with the nuclear barrier. Estimate the
collision frequency in the tunneling model for the alpha decay of thorium,
assuming the alpha behaves like a true particle inside the nucleus with total
energy equal to the observed kinetic energy of decay. The daughter nucleus for
this case (radium) has Z=88 and a radius of 9.00 fm. Take the overall nuclear
barrier 30.0 MeV, measured from the bottom of the nuclear well to the top of the
Coulomb barrier (See Fig. 7.8).