Versions Compared

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.
Comment: Migration of unmigrated content due to installation of a new plugin

...

Thermodynamic

...

variables

...

are

...

time

...

averages

...

of

...

their

...

microscopic

...

counterparts.

...

There

...

is

...

an

...

enormous

...

complexity

...

with

...

quantum

...

mechanics,

...

but

...

there

...

are

...

few

...

variables

...

in

...

thermodynamics.

...

The

...

two

...

worlds

...

are

...

connected

...

by

...

posulating that

Latex
 \[  that <math>\overline E = \langle E(t) \rangle</math>.  The function on the rangle \] 

. The function on the right-side

...

of

...

the

...

equation

...

can

...

be

...

a

...

many

...

body

...

wavefunction.

...

It

...

is

...

possible

...

to

...

compute

...

the

...

wavefunction

...

but

...

it

...

can

...

be

...

very

...

complicated.

...

A

...

major

...

postulate

...

involves

...

a

...

weighted

...

average

...

over

...

all

...

possible

...

states,

...

and

...

major

...

pursuit

...

is

...

to

...

find

...

the

...

probabilities,

...

Latex
 \[ P_v \] 

, involved in the weighted average.

  • Thermodynamic variables = time averages of their microscopic counterparts
  • Latex
     \[ U = \overline E = \langle E(t) \rangle = \frac {1}{\Delta t} \int_{\Delta t} \langle \Psi (q,t) \mid \hat H \mid \Psi^*(q,t) \rangle \

...

  • ] 
    where
    Latex
     \[ q \] 
    is

...

  • the

...

  • quantum

...

  • number.

Major Postulate

A major postulate is that the the time average is the weighted average over all possible states the system can be in for a given set of boundary conditions.

Latex
 \[ E


h1. Major Postulate

A major postulate is that the the time average is the weighted average over all possible states the system can be in for a given set of boundary conditions.

<center>

<br>

<math>E = \sum_V E_V P_V</math>

<br>

</center>

If <math>P_V</math> is found, everything can be calculated.  Any variable that can fluctuate can be determined in this way.

h1. Math Review

Below is a listing of topics reviewed.  Read McQuarrie Ch. 1 and see the [online lecture notes|http://web.mit.edu.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/3.20/www/lectures/ReviewQM.pdf] for additional information

* Time-dependent Schrodinger equation
* wavefunction
* The time-dependence is removed when dealing with equilibrium.
* The solution without time-dependence is the stationary state.
* Hamiltonian
* The concept of degeneracy involves many states with the same energy
* Boundary conditions give specific <math>\Psi (t), E</math>
* Many-body problems are the sum of one-particle systems.
** Assume that degrees of freedom can be decoupled.
** Decouple the Hamiltonian and write as a sum.
** Energies of particular Hamiltonians can be superimposed
* Symmetry of wave functions is related to indistinguishability.
** Given an _N_ particle wavefunction, <math>V \] 

If

Latex
 \[P_V \] 

is found, everything can be calculated. Any variable that can fluctuate can be determined in this way.

Math Review

Below is a listing of topics reviewed. Read McQuarrie Ch. 1 and see the online lecture notes for additional information

  • Time-dependent Schrodinger equation
  • wavefunction
  • The time-dependence is removed when dealing with equilibrium.
  • The solution without time-dependence is the stationary state.
  • Hamiltonian
  • The concept of degeneracy involves many states with the same energy
  • Boundary conditions give specific\Psi (t), E
  • Many-body problems are the sum of one-particle systems.
    • Assume that degrees of freedom can be decoupled.
    • Decouple the Hamiltonian and write as a sum.
    • Energies of particular Hamiltonians can be superimposed
  • Symmetry of wave functions is related to indistinguishability.
    • Given an N particle wavefunction,
      Latex
       \[ \Psi (1, 2,..., N)

...

    •  \] 
    • Latex
       \[ \Psi (2, 1, 3,..., N) = \pm \Psi (1, 2, 3,..., N) \] 
    • Indistinguishable particles are dealt with in this course

Examples of Simple Quantum Mechanical Systems

Write what interactions are assumed and solutions.

Particle in a 1-D Infinite Well Potential

A physical example of a 1-D infinite well potential is a particle in a box. Below is a schematic of the potential.

Image Added

Write the Hamiltonian,

Latex
 \[ \hat H \] 

, define the potential, and find the energy eigenvalues.

Latex
 \[ </math>
** Indistinguishable particles are dealt with in this course

h1. Examples of Simple Quantum Mechanical Systems

Write what interactions are assumed and solutions.

h2. Particle in a 1-D Infinite Well Potential

A physical example of a 1-D infinite well potential is a particle in a box.  Below is a schematic of the potential.

<br>
<center>
!Infinite_potential.PNG!
</center>
<br>

Write the Hamiltonian, <math>\hat H</math>, define the potential, and find the energy eigenvalues.

<center>

<br>

<math>\hat H = \frac{-\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{\partial}{\partial x^2} + U(x)
</math>

<br>

<math>U \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}
<P></P>{html}

Latex
 \[ U(x)= \begin{cases} \infty, & |x| > \frac{a}{2} \\ 0, & \frac{-a}{2} < x < \frac{a}{2} \end{cases}

...

 \

...

] 

Wiki Markup
{html}
<P></P>{html}

Latex
 \[ \varepsilon_n = \

...

mbox{

...

energy 

...

eigenvalues} \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}
<P></P>{html}

Latex
 \[ \varepsilon_n = \frac{h^2 n^2}{8ma^2},n=1,2,...

...

 \] 

Simple Harmonic Oscillator (1-D)

...

In

...

the

...

case

...

of

...

a

...

simple

...

harmonic

...

oscillator,

...

a

...

system

...

moved

...

from

...

equilibrium

...

feels

...

a

...

restoring force.

Image Added

The energy eigenvalues are discrete.

Latex
 \[  force.  

<center>

<br>
!Simple_harmonic_oscillator.PNG!
</center>

<br>

The energy eigenvalues are discrete.

<center>

<br>

<math>\hat H = \frac{\hbar}{2m}\frac{\partial}{\partial x^2} + U(x)</math>

<br>

<math>U(x) = \frac{1}{2} k x^2 </math>

<br>

<math>\varepsilon_n = (n +\] 

Wiki Markup
{html}
<P></P>{html}

Latex
 \[ U(x) = \frac{1}{2}

...

 

...

k

...

 

...

x^2 

...

\] 

Wiki Markup
{html}
<P></P>{html}

Latex
 \[ \varepsilon_n = (n + \frac{1}{2})\hbar \omega(k), n = 0, 1, 2, ... \] 

The Concept of Degeneracy

Hydrogen Atom

Consider the hydrogen atom. The energy eigenvalues are proportional to the inverse of the square of the principal quantum number,

Latex
 \[ n \] 

. For every

Latex
 \[ n \] 

, there are

Latex
 \[ s \] 

,

Latex
 \[ p \] 

, and

Latex
 \[ d \] 

states that are dependent on the angular momentum. They are all degenerate in energy, but there are different wavefunctions associated with each. Consider a table of degeneracy. The degeneracy,

Latex
 \[ w \] 

, is equal to

Latex
 \[ 2n^2 \] 

, where the factor of two is due to spin.

Latex
 \[ n</math> 

</center>

h1. The Concept of Degeneracy

h2. Hydrogen Atom

Consider the hydrogen atom.  The energy eigenvalues are proportional to the inverse of the square of the principal quantum number, <math>n</math>.  For every <math>n</math>, there are <math>s</math>, <math>p</math>, and <math>d</math> states that are dependent on the angular momentum.  They are all degenerate in energy, but there are different wavefunctions associated with each.  Consider a table of degeneracy.  The deneracy, <math>w</math>, is equal to <math>2n^2</math>, where the factor of two is due to spin.

<center>

<br>

<math>n=1, 2, ...</math>

<br>

<math>0 \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}
<P></P>{html}

Latex
 \[ 0 \le l \le n-

...

1 \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}
<P></P>{html}

Latex
 \[ -l \le m \le 

...

l \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}{html}

Latex
 \[ \mbox {n} \] 
Latex
 \[ \mbox{states} \] 
Latex
 \[ \mbox{degeneracy} \] 
Latex
 \[ \mbox {1} \] 
Latex
 \[ 1s \] 
Latex
 \[ \mbox{1} \] 
Latex
 \[ \mbox {2} \] 
Latex
 \[ 2s, 2p_x, 2p_y, 2p_z

...

 \] 
Latex
 \[ \mbox{4}

...

 \] 
Latex
 \[ \mbox{3} \] 
Latex
 \[ 3s, 3p_x, 3p_y, 3p_z

...

 \] 
Latex
 \[ \mbox{9} \] 
Latex
 \[ </math></center>
</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>
</td>

<td>
<center><math>\mbox{3d_{xy}, 3d_{yz}, 3d_{xz} \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}

...

<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ 3d_{x^2-y^2}, 3d_{z^2-r^2} \] 

Degeneracy of one particle in a 3-D Infinite Well Potential

This is a generalization of the one-dimensional case. Assume that the three directions are independent, and write the energy eigenvalues.

Latex
 \[}</math></center>
</td>

<td>
</td>

</tr>

</table>

</center>

<p>
</p>

h2. Degeneracy of one particle in a 3-D Infinite Well Potential

This is a generalization of the one-dimensional case.  Assume that the three directions are independent, and write the energy eigenvalues.

<center>

<br>

<math> E_{n_x,n_y,n_z}=\frac{h^2}{8ma^2} (n_x^2+n_y^2+n_z^2)}</math>

<br>

<math>n_x</math>, <math>n_y</math>, <math>n_z</math> = <math>1 \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ n_x,n_y,n_z=1, 2, 3 ,...

...

 \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ n_x^2+n_y^2+n_z^2 =

...

 R^2 \] 

How many ways can we get the same

Latex
 \[ R \] 

? Consider an example of

Latex
 \[ R=6 \] 

. Create a table of possibilities and find that

Latex
 \[ w=3 \] 

.

Latex
 \[ n_x \] 
Latex
 \[ n_y \] 
Latex
 \[ n_z \] 

1

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

1

Generalized for any R in 3-D

How do we find the generalized

Latex
 \[ w(\varepsilon) \] 

in 3D? Show is two dimensions and envision in three dimensions. Degeneracy is how many dots land on the arc of R in the n space. Below is a diagram in the case of two dimensions. Look at positive vales of

Latex
 \[ n_x \] 

and

Latex
 \[ n_y \] 

. For small quantum numbers, there is an irratic step function, but the function is smooth for large functions.

Image Added

The degeneracy in three dimensions is equal to the number of points on the sphere with radius R in the first quadrant.

Latex
 \[ R^2 = n_x^2+n_y^2+n_z^2 \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ R^2 = \frac{8ma^2 \varepsilon}{h^2} \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ \varepsilon > 0 \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ \varepsilon = \varepsilon_x + \varepsilon_y + \varepsilon_z \] 

When

Latex
 \[ R \] 

or

Latex
 \[ E \] 

is large, it can be treated as a continuous variable. Determine the number of lattice points between

Latex
 \[ R \] 

and

Latex
 \[ R + dR \] 

or

Latex
 \[ \varepsilon \] 

and

Latex
 \[z</math>

<br>

</center>

When <math>R</math> or <math>E</math> is large, it can be treated as a continuous variable.  Determine the number of lattice points between <math>R</math> and <math>R + dR</math> or <math>\varepsilon </math> and <math> \varepsilon + d \varepsilon</math>.  Look at the number of points within the sphere; consider the number of points with energy less than <math>\epsilon</math>.  If the number of points is dense, it can be set to the volume, and below is an expression for <math>varepsilon \] 

. Look at the number of points within the sphere; consider the number of points with energy less than

Latex
 \[ \epsilon \] 

. If the number of points is dense, it can be set to the volume, and below is an expression for

Latex
 \[ \phi (\epsilon)</math>, which is defined as the number of points within <math>R</math>.

<center>

<br>

<math> \] 

, which is defined as the number of points within

Latex
 \[ R \] 

.

Latex
 \[ \phi (\epsilon) = \frac{1}{8} \left ( \frac{4 \pi R^3}{3} \right )</math>

<br>

<math> \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ \phi (\epsilon) = \frac{\pi}{6} \left ( \frac{8 m a^2 \epsilon}{h^2} \right )^{\frac{3}{2}} \] 

The number of states in a slice, or the number of states between

Latex
 \[ \epsilon \] 

and

Latex
 \[ }</math>

<br>

</center>

The number of states in a slice, or the number of states between <math>\epsilon</math> and <math>\epsilon + \delta \epsilon \epsilon</math>, is of interest.  A formula is below for the number of states that become available when increasing energy by a small amount.  There is an assumption that <math>\delta \epsilon</math> is very small, and there is a Taylor expansion.

<center>

] 

, is of interest. A formula is below for the number of states that become available when increasing energy by a small amount. There is an assumption that

Latex
 \[ \delta \epsilon \] 

is very small, and there is a Taylor expansion.

Latex
 \[ w<br>

<math>w( \epsilon, \Delta \epsilon )= \phi (\epsilon + \Delta \epsilon) - \phi (\epsilon)</math>

<br>

<math>w \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ w( \epsilon, \Delta \epsilon ) = \frac {\pi}{6} \left ( \frac{m a^2}{h^2} \right )^{\frac{3}{2}} \left ( \left (\epsilon + \Delta \epsilon \right )^{\frac{3}{2}} - \epsilon^{\frac{3}{2}} \right ) \]

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{

...

html}

...

Latex
 \

...

[ w( \epsilon, \Delta \epsilon ) = \frac{\pi}{6}

...

\left ( \frac{8 m a^2 \epsilon}{h^2} \right )^{\frac{3}{2}} \left ( \left (1 + \frac{\Delta \epsilon}{\epsilon} \right )^{\frac{3}{2}} - 1 \right )

...

 \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ w( \epsilon, \Delta \epsilon ) = \frac{\pi}{4} \left ( \frac{8 m a^2 \epsilon}{h^2} \right )^{\frac{3}{2}} \epsilon^{\frac{3}{2}} \Delta \epsilon \] 

Look at the order of magnitude of this. Consider just the kinetic energy in three dimensions. The formula for kinetic energy is

Latex
 \[ Delta \epsilon</math>

</center>

<br>

Look at the order of magnitude of this.  Consider just the kinetic energy in three dimensions.  The formula for kinetic energy is <math>\epsilon = \frac{3}{2} k T</math>.  Temperature T \] 

. Temperature can't

...

be

...

assigned

...

to just one particle. Consider one particle in contact with heat bath, a gas particle in a box.

Latex
 \[ T=300K \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ m=10^{-22} g \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ a=10 cm \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ \Delta \epsilon = 0.01 \epsilon \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ w( \epsilon, \Delta \epsilon ) \approx 10^{28} \] 

There is a huge number of additional points. The number of states that can be accessed is enormous. The numbers are very dense using room temperature. When calculating with interacting particles the results are about the same.

Summary

  • for small R --> w is erratic
  • for large R --> w is more smooth

For 3D case

Latex
 \[ n</math>

<br>

</center>

There is a huge number of additional points.  The number of states that can be accessed is enormous.  The numbers are very dense using room temperature.  When calculating with interacting particles the results are about the same.

<p>
</p>



*Summary*

* for small R --> w is erratic
* for large R --> w is more smooth

For 3D case <math>n_x^2+n_y^2+n_z^2 = R^2 = \frac{8ma^2 \varepsilon}{h^2},} \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ \varepsilon >

...

 0 \] 

Wiki Markup
{html}<p>{html}

Latex
 \[ \varepsilon = \varepsilon_x + \varepsilon_y + \varepsilon_

...

z \] 

Additional math topics

A listing is below of additional math topics covered. Additional information is posted at thecourse website.

  • Average of
    Latex
     \[ u \] 
  • Mean of a function
    Latex
     \[ f(u) \] 
  • Latex
     \[ m^{th} \] 
    moment of distribution
  • Latex
     \[ m^{th} \] 
    central moment of a distribution
  • Integration of function with probability density
  • Gaussian distribution
  • Stirling's approximation
  • Binomial/multinomial distribution

October 20, 2006