Assingment-5-Potential Problem-Part 2

(Harmonic Potential, Step Pot., Square well pot.)

NET
4. Let |𝜓⟩ = 𝑐0 |0⟩ + 𝑐1 |1⟩ (where 𝑐0 and 𝑐1 are
1. Let |0⟩ and |1⟩ denote the normalized constants with 𝑐02 + 𝑐12 = 1 ) be a linear
eigenstates corresponding to the ground and combination of the wavefunctions of the
first excited state of a one-dimensional ground and first excited states of the one-
harmonic oscillator. The uncertainty Δp in the dimensional harmonic oscillator. For what
1
state (|0⟩ + |1⟩), is: value of 𝑐0 is the expectation value ⟨𝑥⟩ a
√2
[NET Dec 2011] maximum?
(a) Δp = √ℏm𝜔/2 [NET Dec 2014]
(b) Δp = √ℏm𝜔/2
ℏ 1
(c) Δp = √ℏm𝜔 (a) ⟨𝑥⟩ = √𝑚𝜔 , 𝑐0 =
√2
(d) Δp = √2ℏm𝜔 ℏ 1
(b) ⟨𝑥⟩ = √2𝑚𝜔 , 𝑐0 = 2
2. Let |0⟩ and |1⟩ denote the normalized
eigenstates corresponding to the ground and ℏ 1
(c) ⟨𝑥⟩ = √2𝑚𝜔 , 𝑐0 =
the first excited states of a one-dimensional √2
harmonic oscillator. The uncertainty Δ𝑥 in the ℏ 1
1 (d) ⟨𝑥⟩ = √𝑚𝜔 , 𝑐0 = 2
state (|0⟩ + |1⟩) is :
√2
1 1
[NET Dec 2012] 5. Let 𝑎 = (𝑥 + 𝑖𝑝) and 𝑎† = (𝑥 − 𝑖𝑝) be
√2 √2
the lowering and raising operators of a simple
(a) Δ𝑥 = √ℏ/2𝑚𝜔 harmonic oscillator in units where the mass,
(b) Δ𝑥 = √ℏ/𝑚𝜔 angular frequency and ℏ have been set to
(c) Δ𝑥 = √2ℏ/𝑚𝜔 unity. If |0⟩ is the ground state of the oscillator
(d) Δ𝑥 = √ℏ/4 m𝜔 and 𝜆 is a complex constant, the expectation
value of ⟨𝜓|𝑥|𝜓⟩ in the state |𝜓⟩ =
3. Consider the normalized state |𝜓⟩ of a particle exp⁡(𝜆𝑎† − 𝜆∗ 𝑎)|0⟩, is
in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator:
|𝜓⟩ = b1 |0⟩ + b2 |1⟩ where |0⟩ and |1⟩ [NET De(c) 2016]
denote the ground and first excited states 1
respectively, and b1 and b2 are real constants. (a) |𝜆| (b) √|𝜆|2 + |𝜆|2
The expectation value of the displacement x in 1 1
(c) (𝜆 − 𝜆∗ ) (d) (𝜆 + 𝜆∗ )
the state |𝜓⟩ will be a minimum when √2𝑖 √2

[NET June 2013] 6. If the root-mean-squared momentum of a

particle in the ground state of a one-
(a) 𝑏2 = 0, (𝑏1 = 1) dimensional simple harmonic potential is 𝑝0 ,
1
(b) 𝑏2 = 𝑏1 then its root-mean-squared momentum in the
√2
1 first excited state is
(c) 𝑏2 = 2 𝑏1
(d) 𝑏2 = −𝑏1 [NET June 2017]
 (a) 𝑝0 √2 10. Let |𝑛⟩ denote the energy eigenstates of a
(b) 𝑝0 √3 particle in a one-dimensional simple harmonic
1
(c) 𝑝0 √2/3 potential 𝑉(𝑥) = 𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 . If the particle is
2
(d) 𝑝0 √3/2 initially prepared in the state |𝜓(𝑡 = 0)⟩ =
1
7. The state vector of a one-dimensional simple √ (|0⟩ + |1⟩), the minimum time after which
2
harmonic oscillator of angular frequency 𝜔, at
1 the oscillator will be found in the same state is
time 𝑡 = 0 , is given by |𝜓(0)⟩ = [|0⟩ +
√2
|2⟩] , where |0⟩ and |2⟩ are the normalized NET/JRF (JUNE-2020)
ground state and the second excited state,
respectively. The minimum time 𝑡 after which (a) 3𝜋/(2𝜔) (b) 𝜋/𝜔
the state vector |𝜓(𝑡)⟩ is orthogonal to (c) 𝜋/(2𝜔) (d) 2𝜋/𝜔
|𝜓(0)⟩, is
1
[NET Dec 2017] 11. Spin fermions of mass 𝑚 and 4𝑚 are in a
2
𝜋 1
(a) 2𝜔 harmonic potential 𝑉(𝑥) = 2 𝑘𝑥 2 . Which
2𝜋 configuration of 4 such particles has the lowest
(b) 𝜔
𝜋 value of the ground state energy?
(c) 𝜔
NET/JRF (JUNE-2020)
4𝜋
(d) (a) 4 particles of mass 𝑚
𝜔
(b) 4 particles of mass 4𝑚
8. The product Δ𝑥Δ𝑝 of uncertainties in the (c) 1 particle of mass 𝑚 and 3 particles of
position and momentum of a simple harmonic mass 4𝑚
oscillator of mass 𝑚 and angular frequency 𝜔 (d) 2 particles of mass 𝑚 and 2 particles of
in the ground state |0⟩, is ℏ/2. The value of mass 4𝑚
the product Δ𝑥Δ𝑝 in the state 𝑒 −𝑖𝑝ˆ𝑙/ℏ |0⟩ , 12. A particle of mass 𝑚 in one dimension is in
where 𝑙 is a constant and 𝑝ˆ is the momentum the ground state of a simple harmonic
operator) is oscillator described by a Hamiltonian 𝐻 =
𝑝2 1
[NET Dec 2018] + 2 𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 in the standard notation. An
2𝑚
ℏ 𝑚𝜔𝑙2 impulsive force at time to 𝑡 = 0 suddenly
(a) 2 √ ℏ imparts a momentum 𝑝0 = √ℏ𝑚𝜔 to it. The
(b) ℏ probability that the particle remains in the
ℏ
(c) 2 original ground state is
ℏ2
(d) 𝑚𝜔𝑙2 [NET JUNE 2021]
9. The operator 𝐴 = ∑∞
𝑛=0 |𝑛 + 1⟩⟨𝑛| is defined (a) 𝑒 −2 (b) 𝑒 −3/2
in terms of the eigenstates |𝑛⟩ of the number
(c) 𝑒 −1 (d) 𝑒 −1/2
operator of the simple harmonic oscillator.
Which of the following relations is obeyed by
13. The unnormalized wave function of a particle
𝐴 and its hermitian conjugate 𝐴† ? (In the
in one dimension in an infinite square well
following 1 is the identity operator).
with walls at 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 𝑎 , is 𝜓(𝑥) =
[NET Dec 2019] 𝑥(𝑎 − 𝑥) . If 𝜓(𝑥) is expanded as a linear
(a) 𝐴† 𝐴 = 1 and 𝐴𝐴† = 1 combination of the energy eigenfunctions,
𝑎
(b) 𝐴† 𝐴 = 1 but 𝐴𝐴† ≠ 1 ∫0 |𝜓(𝑥)|2 𝑑𝑥 is proportional to the infinite
(c) 𝐴† 𝐴 ≠ 1 and 𝐴𝐴† = 1 series (You may use
𝑎
∫0 𝑡sin⁡ 𝑡𝑑𝑡 =
(d) 𝐴† 𝐴 ≠ 1 and 𝐴𝐴† ≠ 1
 𝑎
−𝑎cos⁡ 𝑎 + sin⁡ 𝑎 and ∫0 𝑡 2 sin⁡ 𝑡𝑑𝑡 = −2 − Answer Key (NET)
(𝑎2 − 2)cos⁡ 𝑎 + 2𝑎sin⁡ 𝑎 1. (c) 2. (a)

[NET JUNE 2021] 3. (d) 4. (c)

5. (d) 6. (b)
(a) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (2𝑛 − 1)
−6
∞
(b) ∑𝑛=1 (2𝑛 − 1)−4 7. (a) 8. (c)
(c) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (2𝑛 − 1)
−2
9. (b) 10. (d)
(d) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (2𝑛 − 1)
−8
11. (d) 12. (d)
14. At time 𝑡 = 0, a particle is in the ground state 13. (a) 14. (d)
𝑝2 1
of the Hamiltonian 𝐻(𝑡) = 2𝑚 + 2 𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 + 15. (b)
𝜔𝑡
𝜆𝑥sin⁡ where 𝜆, 𝜔 and 𝑚 are positive
2
constants. To 𝑂(𝜆2 ), the probability that at
2𝜋
𝑡 = 𝜔 , the particle would be in the first
excited state of 𝐻(𝑡 = 0) is

[NET Dec 2022/June 2023]

9𝜆2 9𝜆2
(a) 16𝑚ℏ𝜔3 (b) 8𝑚ℏ𝜔3
16𝜆2 8𝜆2
(c) 9𝑚ℏ𝜔3 (d) 9𝑚ℏ𝜔3

15. In a quantum harmonic oscillator problem, 𝑎ˆ

and 𝑁ˆ are the annihilation operator and the
number operator, respectively. The operator
𝑒 𝑁ˆ 𝑎ˆ𝑒 −𝑁ˆ is

[NET Dec 2023]

(a) a (b) 𝑒 −1 𝑎ˆ
(c) 𝑒 −(𝑙ˆ+𝑎ˆ) (d) 4𝑒 𝑎ˆ
(where 𝐼ˆ is the identity operator)
 GATE ℏ2 𝑑 2 1
(c) − 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 + 2 𝑘𝑥 2 + 𝑞𝐸𝑥
1. At t = 0 a one-dimensional harmonic
ℏ2 𝑑 2 1
oscillator of frequency  is in a state given (d) − 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 + 2 𝑘𝑥 2 − 𝑞𝐸𝑥
1
by  ( x,0) = u0 ( x) + i 3 / 2u1 ( x) 4. There are only three bound states for a
2
particle of mass 𝑚 in a one-dimensional
potential well of the form shown in the figure.
where u0, and u1, are the first two normalized
The depth 𝑉0 of the potential satisfies
eigenfunctions.
[GATE 2007]
[GATE 1998]

(a) The probability of finding the oscillator

3
in state u1, is .
4

(b) The probability of finding the oscillator

1
in the state u0, is . 2𝜋 2 ℏ2 9𝜋 2 ℏ2
2 (a) < V0 <
ma2 2ma2
𝜋 2 ℏ2 2𝜋 2 ℏ2
(c) The average energy of the oscillator is (b) < V0 <
ma2 ma2
2  . 2𝜋 2 ℏ2 8𝜋 2 ℏ2
(c) < V0 <
ma2 ma2
2𝜋 2 ℏ2 50𝜋 2 ℏ2
(d) The average energy of the oscillator is (d) < V0 <
ma2 ma2
(5  ) .
5. A particle with energy 𝐸 is in a time-
2. Let a particle move in a potential field given independent double well potential as shown
by [GATE 2000] in the figure. Which of the following
statements about the particle is NOT correct?
1
 m x for x  0
2 2
V ( x) =  2 [GATE 2007]
  for x  0

The allowed energies of this particle are

(a) (n + 1/ 2)  (b) (2n + 3 / 2) 

(c) (2n + 1/ 2)  (d) (n + 5 / 2) 

3. A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator

carrying a charge –q is placed in a uniform (a) The particle will always be in a bound
electric field E along positive axis. The state.
corresponding Hamiltonian operator is:
(b) The probability of finding the particle
[GATE 2005] in one well will be time-dependent.

ℏ2 𝑑 2 1 (c) The particle will be confined to any

(a) 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 + 2 𝑘𝑥 2 + 𝑞𝐸𝑥
one of the wells.
ℏ2 𝑑 2 1
(b) − 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 + 2 𝑘𝑥 2 − 𝑞𝐸𝑥
(d) The particle can tunnel from one well
to the other, and back.
6. The energy levels of a particle of mass 𝑚 in 𝜑0 , 𝜑1 and 𝜑2 are respectively the ground,
a potential of the form first and the second excited states. These
V(x) ⁡= ∞, 𝑥≤0 three states are normalized and are
1 orthogonal to one another. 𝜓1 and 𝜓2 are
⁡= 𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 , 𝑥>0 two states defined by 𝜓1 = 𝜑0 − 2𝜑1 +
2
3𝜑2 ; 𝜓2 = 𝜑0 − 𝜑1 + 𝛼𝜑2 . Where 𝛼 is a
are given, in terms of quantum number n = constant. [GATE 2011]
0,1,2,3 … … …. , by
8. The value of 𝛼 for which 𝜓2 is orthogonal
[GATE 2007] to 𝜓1 is:
(a) 2 (b) 1
1 (c) -1 (d) -2
(a) (n + 2) ℏ𝜔
1 9. For the value of 𝛼 determined in 𝑄.8, the
(b) (2n + 2) ℏ𝜔
expectation value of energy of oscillator in
3
(c) (2n + ) ℏ𝜔 the state 𝜓2 is:
2
3 (a) ℏ𝜔 (b) 3ℏ𝜔/2
(d) (n + 2) ℏ𝜔 (c) 3ℏ𝜔 (d) 9ℏ𝜔/2
10. A particle is constrained to move in a
7. A particle of mass 𝑚 is confined in the
truncated harmonic potential well (𝑥 > 0) as
potential,
shown in the figure. Which one of the
1 2 2 following statements is CORRECT?
𝑉(𝑥) = {2 𝑚𝜔 𝑥 for 𝑥 > 0,
[GATE 2012]
∞ for 𝑥 ≤ 0

(a) The parity of the first excited state is

Let the wavefunction of the particle be even
given by (b) The parity of the ground state is even
1
(c) The ground state energy is 2 ℏ𝜔
1 2 7
𝜓(x) = − 𝜓0 + 𝜓1 , (d) The first excited state energy is 2 ℏ𝜔
√5 √5

where 𝜓0 and 𝜓1 are the eigenfunctions of 11. A one dimensional harmonic oscillator is in
the ground state and the first excited state the superposition of number state, |𝑛⟩, given
respectively. The expectation value of the by
energy is:
1 √3
|𝜓⟩ = |2⟩ + |3⟩
[GATE 2010] 2 2
31 25 The average energy of the oscillator in the
(a) 10 ℏ𝜔 (b) 10 ℏ𝜔
13 11
given state is ⁡ ℏ𝜔
(c) 10 ℏ𝜔 (d) 10 ℏ𝜔
[GATE 2014]
Common data for Q. 8 and Q. 9
In a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator,
12. Suppose a linear harmonic oscillator of eigen state of 𝑎ˆ † 𝑎ˆ† 𝑎ˆ𝑎ˆ , the corresponding
frequency 𝜔 and mass 𝑚 is in the state eigenvalue is
𝜋
1
|𝜓⟩ = [|𝜓0 ⟩ + 𝑒 𝑖 2 |𝜓1 ⟩] at 𝑡 = 0 where
√2 [GATE 2020]
|𝜓0 ⟩ and |𝜓1 ⟩ are the ground and the first
excited states, respectively. The value of (a) 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)
ℏ
(b) 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
⟨𝜓|𝑥|𝜓⟩ in the units of √𝑚𝜔 at 𝑡 = 0 is (c) (𝑛 + 1)2
(d) 𝑛2
[GATE 2015]
16. Consider a state described by 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) =
13. A particle of mass 𝑚 and energy 𝐸, moving 𝜓2 (𝑥, 𝑡) + 𝜓4 (𝑥, 𝑡) , where 𝜓2 (𝑥, 𝑡) and
in the positive 𝑥 direction, is incident on a 𝜓4 (𝑥, 𝑡) are respectively the second and
step potential at 𝑥 = 0, as indicated in the fourth normalized harmonic oscillator wave
figure. The height of the potential is 𝑉0 , functions and 𝜔 is the angular frequency of
where 𝑉0 > 𝐸. At 𝑥 = 𝑥0 , where 𝑥0 > 0, the the harmonic oscillator. The wave function
1 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡 = 0) will be orthogonal to 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) at
probability of the finding the electron is 𝑒
time 𝑡 equal to
times the probability of finding it at 𝑥 = 0. If
2𝑚(𝑉0 −𝐸) [GATE 2021]
𝛼=√ , the value of 𝑥0 is
ℏ2
𝜋 𝜋
(a) 2𝜔 (b) 𝜔
[GATE 2016] 𝜋 𝜋
(c) 4𝜔 (d) 6𝜔

17. For a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator,

the creation operator (𝑎† ) acting on the 𝑛th
state |𝜓𝑛 ⟩ , where 𝑛 = 0,1,2, … , gives
𝑎† |𝜓𝑛 ⟩ = √𝑛 + 1|𝜓𝑛+1 ⟩ . The matrix
representation of the position operator 𝑥 =
ℏ
√ (𝑎 + 𝑎† ) for the first three rows and
2𝑚𝜔

2 1 columns is
(a) 𝛼 (b) 𝛼
1
(c) 2𝛼
1
(d) 4𝛼 [GATE 2022]

1 0 0
14. A free electron of energy 1 eV is incident ℏ
(a) √ (0 √2 0 )
upon a one-dimensional finite potential step 2𝑚𝜔
0 0 √3
of height 0.75 eV . The probability of its
reflection from the barrier is _______⁡ (up to 0 1 0
two decimal places). ℏ
(b) √2𝑚𝜔 (1 0 1)
0 1 0
[GATE 2017]
0 1 0
15. Let 𝑎ˆ and 𝑎ˆ† , respectively denote the ℏ
(c) √2𝑚𝜔 (1 0 √2)
lowering and raising operators of a one- 0 √2 0
dimensional simple harmonic oscillator. Let
|𝑛⟩ be the energy eigenstate of the simple 1 0 √3
harmonic oscillator. Given that |𝑛⟩ is also an ℏ
(d) √2𝑚𝜔 ( 0 0 0 )
√3 0 1
18. The wavefunction of a particle in an infinite Answer Key (GATE)
one-dimensional potential well at time 𝑡 is 1. (a) 2. (b)

2 𝑖𝐸1𝑡 1 𝑖𝜋/6 −𝑖𝐸 𝑡/ℎ 3. (b) 4. (a)

Ψ(𝑥, 𝑡) = √ 𝑒 − ℎ 𝜓1 (𝑥) + 𝑒 𝑒 2 𝜓2 (𝑥)
3 √6 5. (b) 6. (c)
1 𝑖𝜋/4 −𝑖𝐸 𝑡/ℎ
+ 𝑒 𝑒 3 𝜓3 (𝑥) 7. (a) 8. (c)
√6
9. (b) 10. (d)
where 𝜓1 , 𝜓2 and 𝜓3 are the normalized
ground state, the normalized first excited 11. (3.25) 12. (0)
state and the normalized second excited state, 13. (c) 14. (0.11)
respectively. 𝐸1 , 𝐸2 and 𝐸3 are the eigen-
15. (a) 16. (a)
energies corresponding to 𝜓1 , 𝜓2 and 𝜓3 ,
respectively. The expectation value of energy 17. (c) 18. (a)
of the particle in state Ψ(𝑥, 𝑡) is

[GATE 2024]
17 2
(a) 𝐸1 (b) 3 𝐸1
6
3
(c) 2 𝐸1 (d) 14𝐸1
 JEST
5. A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator (mass
1. A quantum mechanical particle in a harmonic
𝑚 and frequency 𝜔 ) is in a state 𝜓 such that
oscillator potential has the initial
the only possible outcomes of an energy
wavefunction 𝜓0 (x) + 𝜓1 (x), where 𝜓0 and
measurement are 𝐸0 , 𝐸1 or 𝐸2 , where 𝐸𝑛 is
𝜓1 are the real wavefunctions in the ground
the energy is the energy of the 𝑛-thexcited
and first excited states of the harmonic
state. If 𝐻 is the Hamiltonian of the oscillator,
oscillator Hamiltonian. For convenience we
⟨𝜓|𝐻|𝜓⟩ = 3ℏ𝜔/2 and ⟨𝜓|𝐻 2 |𝜓⟩ =
take m = ℏ = 𝜔 = 1 for the oscillator. What
11ℏ2 𝜔2 /4 , then the probability that the
is the probability density of finding the
energy measurement yields 𝐸0 is
particle at 𝑥 at time 𝑡 = 𝜋 ? [JEST 2013]
[JEST 2018]
(a) (𝜓1 (𝑥) − 𝜓0 (𝑥))2
(b) (𝜓1 (x))2 − (𝜓0 (x))2 (a) 1/2 (b) 1/4
(c) (𝜓1 (x) + 𝜓0 (x))2 (c) 1/8 (d) 0
(d) (𝜓1 (x))2 + (𝜓0 (x))2 6. A quantum particle of mass 𝑚 is in a one
2. Consider a harmonic oscillator in the state dimensional potential of the form
|𝛼|2 †
|𝜓⟩ = 𝑒 − 2 𝑒 𝛼𝑎 |0⟩, where |0⟩ is the ground 1 2 2
𝑉(𝑥) = {2 𝑚𝜔 𝑥 , if 𝑥 > 0,
state, 𝑎† is the raising operator and 𝛼 is a
complex number. What is the probability ∞, if 𝑥≤0
that the harmonic oscillator is in the 𝑛-th
eigenstate |𝑛⟩ ? where 𝜔 is a constant. Which one of the
following represents the possible ground
[JEST 2015] state wave function of the particle?
|𝛼|2
2 |𝛼|2𝑛 |𝛼|𝑛
(a) 𝑒 −|𝛼| (b) 𝑒 − 2
[JEST 2019]
𝑛! √𝑛!
𝑛 |𝛼|2
−|𝛼|2 |𝛼| − |𝛼|2𝑛
(c) 𝑒 (d) 𝑒 2
𝑛! 𝑛!

3. 𝜙0 (𝑥) and 𝜙1 (𝑥) are respectively the

orthogonal wavefunctions of the ground and
first excited states of a one dimensional
simple harmonic oscillator. Consider the
normalised wave function 𝜓(𝑥) =
𝑐0 𝜙0 (𝑥) + 𝑐1 𝜙1 (𝑥) , where 𝑐0 and 𝑐1 are (a)
real. For what values of 𝑐0 and 𝑐1 will
⟨𝜓(𝑥)|𝑥|𝜓(𝑥)⟩ be maximized?
[JEST 2017]
(a) 𝑐0 = 𝑐1 = +1/√2
(b) 𝑐0 = −𝑐1 = +1/√2
(c) 𝑐0 = +√3/2, 𝑐1 = +1/2
(d) 𝑐0 = +√3/2, 𝑐1 = −1/2 (b)

4. If 𝑥ˆ(𝑡) be the position operator at a time 𝑡 in

the Heisenberg picture for a particle
𝑝ˆ2
described by the Hamiltonian, 𝐻ˆ = + 2𝑚
1
𝑚𝜔2 𝑥ˆ 2 , what is 𝑒 𝑖𝜔𝑡 ⟨0|𝑥ˆ(𝑡)𝑥ˆ(0)|0⟩ in
2
ℏ
units of 2𝑚𝜔, where |0⟩ is the ground state ?
(c)
[JEST 2017]
 10. The uncertainty Δ𝑥 in the position of a
particle with mass 𝑚 in the ground state of a
harmonic oscillator is 2ℏ/𝑚𝑐 . What is the
energy (in units of 10−4 mc 2 ) required to
excite the system to the first excited state?

(d) [JEST 2021]

11. A particle is confined in an infinite potential
7. A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator is in well of the form given below.
1
the state |𝜓⟩ = ∑∞𝑛=0 √𝑛! |𝑛⟩, where |𝑛⟩ is the 4𝑉0 𝑥(1 − 𝑥), ∀0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
normalized energy eigenstate with 𝑉(𝑥) = {
∞, otherwise
1
eigenvalue (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔. Let the expectation
value of the Hamiltonian in the state |𝜓⟩ be If the particle has energy 𝐸 ≥ 𝑉0, which of
1 the following could be the form of its
expressed as 2 𝛼ℏ𝜔. What is the value of 𝛼 ?
wavefunction?
[JEST 2019]
[JEST 2022]
8. Consider a quantum particle of mass 𝑚
moving in a potential
𝑉(𝑥, 𝑦)
1 2 (𝑥 2
= {2 𝑚𝜔 + 𝑦 2 ), for 𝑥 > 0, 𝑦 > 0
∞, otherwise.

What is the degeneracy of the energy state

9ℏ𝜔, where 𝜔 > 0 measures the strength of
the potential?

[JEST 2020]

(a) 4 (b) 2
(c) 10 (d) 5 1
12. Consider 5 identical spin 2 particles moving
9. Consider the normalized wave function 𝜓 = in a 3-dimensional harmonic oscillator
𝑎𝜓0 + 𝑏𝜓1 for a one-dimensional simple potential,
harmonic oscillator at some time, where 𝜓0
1 1
and 𝜓1 are the normalized ground state and 𝑉(𝑟) = 𝑚𝜔2 𝑟 2 = 𝑚𝜔2 (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 )
the first excited state respectively, and 𝑎, 𝑏 2 2
are real numbers. For what values of 𝑎 and 𝑏, The degeneracy of the ground state of the
the magnitude of expectation value of 𝑥, i.e. system is
|⟨𝑥⟩|, is maximum?
[JEST 2022]
[JEST 2021]
(a) 20
(a) 𝑎 = −𝑏 = 1/√2 (b) 7
(b) 𝑎 = 𝑏 = 1/√2 (c) 5
(c) 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 0 (d) 32
(d) 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 = 1
13. For a one dimensional simple harmonic 1 1
(a) ℏ𝜔 [2 + 1−exp⁡(𝛽ℏ𝜔)]
oscillator, for which |0⟩ denotes the ground 1 1
state, what is the constant 𝛽 in (b) ℏ𝜔 [2 + 1+exp⁡(𝛽ℏ𝜔)]

2 |0⟩
(c) ℏ𝜔[1 + exp⁡(−𝛽ℏ𝜔)]
⟨0|𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 |0⟩ = 𝑒 −𝛽(0|𝑥 ? (d) ℏ𝜔[1 − exp⁡(−𝛽ℏ𝜔)]

[JEST 2022] 16. A quantum harmonic oscillator of mass 𝑚

(a) 𝛽 = 𝑘 2 /2 and angular frequency 𝜔 is in the state |𝜓⟩ =
1
(b) 𝛽 = 𝑘 2 (|287⟩ + |288⟩) where |𝑛⟩ denotes the
√2
(c) 𝛽 = 𝑘 2 /4 𝑛th
normalized energy eigenstate of the
(d) 𝛽 = 2𝑘 2 ℏ
harmonic oscillator. Let 𝐿0 = √𝑚𝜔 denote
14. Consider a quantum particle incident from the oscillator size and ⟨𝑥ˆ⟩ denote the
the left on a step potential given by 𝑉0 𝜃(𝑥), expectation value of the position operator in
with energy 𝐸(> 𝑉0 ); here 𝜃(𝑥) is the unit ⟨𝑥ˆ⟩
the state |𝜓⟩. What is the value of ? You
step function. The scattering state of the 𝐿0
particle is given by may use the form of the position operator in
terms of the raising and lowering operators:
𝑖𝑝𝑥 −𝑖𝑝𝑥 𝐿
exp⁡ + rexp⁡ , 𝑥<0 𝑥ˆ = 0 (𝑎 + 𝑎 † ).
ℏ ℏ √2
𝜓(𝑥) = {
𝑖𝑝′ 𝑥
texp⁡ 𝑥>0 [JEST 2024]
ℏ

where 𝑝 and 𝑝′ are the momenta of the

particle corresponding to the energy 𝐸.
Which of the following is true? Answer Key (JEST)
[JEST 2023] 1. (a) 2. (a)
𝑝′ 3. (a) 4. (1)
(a) |𝑟|2 + |𝑡|2 = 1
𝑝
5. (b) 6. (b)
(b) |𝑟|2 + |𝑡|2 = 1
𝑝 7. (3) 8. (a)
(c) |𝑟|2 + 𝑝′ |𝑡|2 = 1
(d) 𝑟 + 𝑡 = 1 9. (b) 10. (1250)
11. (a) 12. (a)
15. A quantum oscillator with energy levels
13. (a) 14. (a)
1 15. (a) 16. (12)
𝐸𝑛 = (𝑛 + ) ℏ𝜔, ⁡𝑛 = 0,1,2 …
2

is in equilibrium at a low enough temperature

𝑇 so that the occupation of all states with 𝑛 ≥
2 is negligible. What is the mean energy of
the oscillator as a function of the inverse
1
temperature 𝛽 = (𝑘 𝑇) ?
𝐵

[JEST 2024]
 TIFR
1. A harmonic oscillator has the wave function, 4. Two harmonic oscillators A and B are in
1
𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) = 5 [3𝜑0 (𝑥, 𝑡) − 2√2𝜑1 (𝑥, 𝑡) + excited eigenstates with the same excitation
2√2𝜑2 (𝑥, 𝑡)] where 𝜑𝑛 (𝑥, 𝑡) is the energy E, as measured from their respective
eigenfunction belonging to the 𝑛-th energy ground state energies. The natural frequency
1 of A is twice that of (b)
eigenvalue (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔 . The expectation
value ⟨𝐸⟩ of energy for the state 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡) is
[TIFR 2013]
(a) 1.58ℏ𝜔 (b) 0.46ℏ𝜔
(c) ℏ𝜔 (d) 1.46ℏ𝜔
2. A one-dimensional quantum harmonic
oscillator is in its ground state
[TIFR 2015] If the wavefunction of B is as sketched in
𝑚𝜔 1/4 −𝑚𝜔𝑥 2 /2ℏ the above picture, which of the following
𝜓0 (𝑥) = ( ) 𝑒 would best represent the wavefunction of A
𝜋ℏ
?
Two experiments, [A] and [B], are performed
on the system. In [A], the frequency 𝜔 of the [TIFR 2016]
oscillator is suddenly doubled, while in [B]
the frequency 𝜔 is suddenly halve(d) If 𝑝𝐴
and 𝑝𝐵 denote the probability in each case
that the system is found in its new ground
state immediately after the frequency change,
which of the following is true?
(a)
(a) 𝑝𝐴 = √2𝑝𝐵 (b) 𝑝𝐴 = 2𝑝𝐵
(c) 2𝑝𝐴 = 𝑝𝐵 (d) 𝑝𝐴 = 𝑝𝐵
3. A one-dimensional harmonic oscillator of
mass 𝑚 and natural frequency 𝜔 is in the
quantum state

1 𝑖 𝑖
|𝜓⟩ = |0⟩ + |1⟩ + |2⟩ (b)
√3 √3 √3

at time 𝑡 = 0, where |𝑛⟩ denotes the

1
eigenstate with eigenvalue (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔. It
follows that the exception value ⟨𝑥(𝑡)⟩ of
the position operator 𝑥ˆ is
(c)
[TIFR 2016]
1
(a) ⟨𝑥(0)⟩ [cos⁡ 𝜔𝑡 + sin⁡ 𝜔𝑡]
√3
(b) ⟨𝑥(0)⟩[cos⁡ 𝜔𝑡 − sin⁡ 𝜔𝑡]
1
(c) ⟨𝑥(0)⟩ [cos⁡ 𝜔𝑡 − 2 sin⁡ 𝜔𝑡]
1
(d) ⟨𝑥(0)⟩ [cos⁡ 𝜔𝑡 + sin⁡ 𝜔𝑡] (d)
√2
5. A particle of mass 𝑚 , confined to one
dimension 𝑥, is in ground state of a harmonic
oscillator potential with a normalized wave
2𝑎 1/4 2
function Ψ0 (𝑥) = ( 𝜋 ) 𝑒 −𝑎𝑥 , where 𝑎 =
𝑚𝜔/2ℏ. Find the expectation value of 𝑥 8 in
terms of the parameter 𝑎.
(a)
[TIFR 2017]

6. The wave-function Ψ of a particle in a one-

dimensional harmonic oscillator potential is
given by

1 1/4 √2𝑥 𝑥2
Ψ=( ) (1 + ) exp⁡ (− ), (b)
𝜋𝑙 2 𝑙 2𝑙 2

where 𝑙 = 100𝜇m . Find the expectation

value of the position 𝑥 of this particle, in 𝜇m.
19. A particle in a one-dimensional harmonic
oscillator potential is described by a wave-
function 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑡). If the wavefunction changes
to 𝜓(𝜆𝑥, 𝑡) , then the expectation value of (c)
kinetic energy 𝑇 and the potential energy 𝑉
will change, respectively, to

[TIFR 2018]

(a) 𝜆2 𝑇 and 𝑉/𝜆2

(b) 𝑇/𝜆2 and 𝑉/𝜆2
(d)
(c) 𝑇/𝜆2 and 𝜆2 𝑉
(d) 𝜆2 𝑇 and 𝜆2 𝑉 8. An excited gas, consisting of spinless charged
particles, is confined in an infinite square
7. A particle moving in one dimension, is well potential of width 𝑎, is found to radiate
placed in an asymmetric square well a spectrum whose 𝛼 line (largest wavelength)
potential 𝑉(𝑥) as sketched below. has wavelength 816 nm . If the width 𝑎 of the
well is halved to 𝑎/2, the wavelength of the
𝛿 line (fourth-largest wavelength) will be
[TIFR 2019]
(a) 1.088𝜇m (b) 0.306𝜇m
(c) 1.224𝜇m (d) 26.122𝜇m
9. Three noninteracting particles whose masses
The probability density p(x) in the ground are in the ratio 1: 4: 16 are placed together in
state will most closely resemble the same harmonic oscillator potential 𝑉(𝑥).
The degeneracies of the first three energy
[TIFR 2019] eigenstates (ordered by increasing energy)
will be
[TIFR 2020]
 (a) 1, 1, 1 (b) 1,1,2 13. What are the energy eigenvalues for
(c) 1,2,1 (d) 1,2,2 relative motion in one-dimension of a two-
10. A particle of mass 𝑚 is placed in a one- body simple quantum harmonic oscillator
dimensional harmonic oscillator potential (each body having mass 𝑚 ) with the
following Hamiltonian?
1
𝑉(𝑥) = 𝑚𝜔2 𝑥 2 𝑝12 𝑝22 1
2 𝐻= + + 𝑚𝜔2 (𝑥1 − 𝑥2 )2
2𝑚 2𝑚 2
At 𝑡 = 0, its wavefunction is 𝜓(𝑥). At 𝑡 =
[TIFR 2022]
2𝜋/𝜔 its wavefunction will be
1
(a) √2 (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
[TIFR 2020]
1
(b) (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
(a) 𝜓(𝑥) (b) −𝜓(𝑥)
2𝜋 1 1
(c) −𝜋𝜓(𝑥) (d) 𝜔 𝜓(𝑥) (c) (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
√2
3 1
11. The un-normalized energy eigenfunction of (d) √2 (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
a one-dimensional simple quantum
harmonic oscillator in dimensionless units 14. Suppose a system is in a normalized state
(𝑚 = ℏ = 𝜔 = 1 ) is |Ψ⟩ such that

𝜓𝑎 (𝑥) = (2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥)𝑒 −𝑥 /2

2
|Ψ⟩ = 𝑐(|𝜑0 ⟩ + 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 |𝜑1 ⟩)
Which of the following are two other (un-
normalized) eigenfunctions which are where |𝜑0 ⟩ and |𝜑1 ⟩ are the first two
closest in energy to 𝜓𝑎 ? normalised eigenstates of a one-
[TIFR 2022] dimensional simple harmonic oscillator of
𝑥2 𝑥2 frequency 𝜔, and 𝑐 > 0 is a real constant.
(a) (2𝑥 2 − 1)𝑒 − 2 ; (4𝑥 4 − 12𝑥 2 + 3)𝑒 − 2
𝑥2 𝑥2
(b) 𝑒 − 2 ; (2𝑥 2 − 1)𝑒 − 2 If the expectation value of the position
−
𝑥2
−
𝑥2 operator 𝑥ˆ is given by
(c) 𝑥𝑒 2 ; (4𝑥 5 − 20𝑥 3 + 15𝑥)𝑒 2
𝑥2 𝑥2
(d) (2𝑥 2 − 1)𝑒 − 2 ; (4𝑥 5 + 20𝑥 3 + 15𝑥)𝑒 − 2 1 ℏ
12. What are the energy eigenvalues for relative ⟨Ψ|𝑥ˆ|Ψ⟩ = √
2 𝑚𝜔
motion in one-dimension of a two-body
simple quantum harmonic oscillator (each
the value of 𝜃 must be
body having mass 𝑚 ) with the following
Hamiltonian? [TIFR 2022]
𝑝12 𝑝22 1 (a) 𝜋/4
𝐻= + + 𝑚𝜔2 (𝑥1 − 𝑥2 )2 (b) 𝜋/2
2𝑚 2𝑚 2
(c) 3𝜋/2
[TIFR 2022] (d) 𝜋
1
(a) √2 (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
1
(b) (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
1 1
(c) (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
√2
3 1
(d) √2 (𝑛 + 2) ℏ𝜔
 Answer Key (TIFR)
1. (d) 2. (d)
3. (d) 4. (b)
5. 105/(256 + 𝑎4 ) 6. (071)
7. (a) 8. (c)
9. (b) 10. (b)
11. (a) 12. (a)
13. (b) 14. (b)