Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)
Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9780134202709
Author: Richard Wolfson
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 36, Problem 1FTD
To determine

what plays the role of confining box in a hydrogen atom.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1FTD

Quantum numbers associated with the atom plays the role of confinement box.

Explanation of Solution

Particle in a box is a quantum mechanical treatment for finding the energy levels of atoms and molecules or general systems. Hydrogen is the simplest atom that we can study. And the results associated with hydrogen would help us find the results for other hydrogen like atoms.

Here we have to find the entity that acts as the confining box if we consider hydrogen atom to be confined in a box. When we solve the Schrodinger equations of this hydrogen atom we get the various quantum numbers that make the angular momentum and energy of the system quantified.

Write the equation to get the orbital angular momentum.

L=l(l+1)

Here,

L is the angular momentum

l is the angular momentum of the atom.

Thus we can see that the angular momentum of the atom is an integral multiple of and thus it is quantified or confined. Therefore the quantum numbers that we get from solving Schrodinger equation plays the role of confining box.

Conclusion:

Quantum numbers associated with the atom plays the role of confinement box.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
V7
Problem 7: A hydrogen atom has the wave function (r), where n=2,1-1, m=0. a) What is the magnitude of the orbital angular momentum of the electron around the proton b) What is the magnitude of the z-component of the orbital angular momentum of the electron around the proton? c) Sketch the shape of the radial part of the function as a function of distance, r, from the proton. d) Find the number of degenerate states, having the same energy as the state that has the above wave function.
In a hydrogen atom, the electron is at a distance of 4.768 Å from the nucleus. The angular momentum of the electron is......

Chapter 36 Solutions

Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Physics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
University Physics Volume 3
Physics
ISBN:9781938168185
Author:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Modern Physics
Physics
ISBN:9781111794378
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:Cengage Learning