(2) An electron of mass 9.11 x 10-31 kg in the ground state is trapped inside a one-dimensional box of width L=1x 10-10 meters (about the size of an atom). In other words, the potential energy U(x) =0 inside the box (between 0 < x < L), but U = 00 outside the box (for r <0 and x > L). If the width of the box is reduced by 1/2, how many eV (where 1 eV =1 electron-volt = 1 electron volt) will be the energy of the electron inside the box? (This shows that the particle-in-a-box model works approximately for electrons in single-electron atom, assuming no ionization.) %3D %3D

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## Quantum Mechanics: Particle in a Box

**Problem Statement:**

An electron of mass \(9.11 \times 10^{-31}\) kg in the ground state is trapped inside a one-dimensional box of width \(L = 1 \times 10^{-10}\) meters (about the size of an atom). In other words, the potential energy \(U(x) = 0\) inside the box (between \(0 \leq x \leq L\)), but \(U = \infty\) outside the box (for \(x < 0\) and \(x > L\)). 

If the width of the box is reduced by half, how many electron volts (eV) will be the energy of the electron inside the box? 

This demonstrates that the particle-in-a-box model works approximately for electrons in a single-electron atom, assuming no ionization.

### Explanation

In quantum mechanics, the particle-in-a-box model (also known as the infinite potential well) provides insights into the behavior of particles, like electrons, in a confined space. The model illustrates that the energy levels are quantized, meaning electrons can only occupy specific energy levels. 

For an electron in a one-dimensional box of width \(L\):

- The energy levels are defined as:
  \[
  E_n = \frac{n^2 h^2}{8mL^2}
  \]
  where:
  - \(E_n\) is the energy of the electron at level \(n\),
  - \(h\) is Planck’s constant (\(6.626 \times 10^{-34} \, \text{m}^2 \, \text{kg/s}\)),
  - \(m\) is the mass of the electron,
  - \(L\) is the width of the box,
  - \(n\) is a quantum number (n = 1, 2, 3,...).

- When the width \(L\) is halved, the energy increases by a factor of four due to \(E \propto \frac{1}{L^2}\). This corresponds to the electron having higher energy levels when confined to a smaller space.

This concept is pivotal in understanding the principles underlying quantum wells, nanostructures, and the behavior of materials at the atomic scale.
Transcribed Image Text:## Quantum Mechanics: Particle in a Box **Problem Statement:** An electron of mass \(9.11 \times 10^{-31}\) kg in the ground state is trapped inside a one-dimensional box of width \(L = 1 \times 10^{-10}\) meters (about the size of an atom). In other words, the potential energy \(U(x) = 0\) inside the box (between \(0 \leq x \leq L\)), but \(U = \infty\) outside the box (for \(x < 0\) and \(x > L\)). If the width of the box is reduced by half, how many electron volts (eV) will be the energy of the electron inside the box? This demonstrates that the particle-in-a-box model works approximately for electrons in a single-electron atom, assuming no ionization. ### Explanation In quantum mechanics, the particle-in-a-box model (also known as the infinite potential well) provides insights into the behavior of particles, like electrons, in a confined space. The model illustrates that the energy levels are quantized, meaning electrons can only occupy specific energy levels. For an electron in a one-dimensional box of width \(L\): - The energy levels are defined as: \[ E_n = \frac{n^2 h^2}{8mL^2} \] where: - \(E_n\) is the energy of the electron at level \(n\), - \(h\) is Planck’s constant (\(6.626 \times 10^{-34} \, \text{m}^2 \, \text{kg/s}\)), - \(m\) is the mass of the electron, - \(L\) is the width of the box, - \(n\) is a quantum number (n = 1, 2, 3,...). - When the width \(L\) is halved, the energy increases by a factor of four due to \(E \propto \frac{1}{L^2}\). This corresponds to the electron having higher energy levels when confined to a smaller space. This concept is pivotal in understanding the principles underlying quantum wells, nanostructures, and the behavior of materials at the atomic scale.
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