Quantum Physics - Example Problems (Semester
1)
Blackbody Radiation
Problem: Find the peak wavelength λ_max for a blackbody at T = 5800 K.
Solution: Wien’s law λ_max = b/T, with b = 2.898×10^-3 m·K.
λ_max = (2.898×10^-3) / 5800 = 4.996×10^-7 m = 499.6 nm.
Photoelectric Effect
Problem: Light of wavelength 400 nm falls on a metal with work function W = 2.2 eV. Find maximum
KE.
Solution: Photon energy E = hc/λ = 1240/400 ≈ 3.1 eV.
K_max = 3.1 - 2.2 = 0.9 eV.
Compton Effect
Problem: X-ray is scattered at angle θ = 60°. Find wavelength shift ∆λ.
Solution: ∆λ = h/mc (1 - cosθ) = 2.43×10^-12 × (1 - 0.5) = 1.21×10^-12 m.
de Broglie Wavelength
Problem: Electron has KE = 150 eV. Find λ.
Solution: λ = h/p = h/√(2mE). Substituting gives λ ≈ 0.1 nm.
Uncertainty Principle
Problem: ∆x = 1×10^-10 m. Find ∆p.
Solution: ∆p ≥ h/(4π∆x) = 5.27×10^-25 kg·m/s.
Wavefunction Normalization
Problem: Normalize ψ(x) = A e^(-αx^2).
Solution: A = (2α/π)^(1/4).
Particle in a Box
Problem: Electron in box of length 1 nm. Find ground state energy.
Solution: E1 = h^2 / (8mL^2) ≈ 0.376 eV.
Harmonic Oscillator
Problem: ω = 1×10^15 rad/s. Find zero-point energy.
Solution: E0 = (1/2)■ω = 0.329 eV.
Quantum Tunneling
Problem: Electron with E=5 eV faces barrier V0=10 eV, width=1 nm.
Solution: Transmission T ≈ e^(-2κa) ≈ 1.1×10^-10 (very small).
Hydrogen Atom Energy
Problem: Find energy of n=2 level.
Solution: En = -13.6/n^2 eV = -3.4 eV.
Quantum Numbers
Problem: How many orbitals for n=3?
Solution: n^2 = 9 orbitals.
Spin Measurement
Problem: Spin-1/2 particle in |+z>. Probability of measuring |+x>?
Solution: |<+x|+z>|^2 = 1/2 = 50%.