Introduction to Quantum Mechanics · Problem 11.19

Quantum Dynamics — David J. Griffiths

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · sudden-approximation-harmonic-oscillator

Problem

A particle is in the ground state of the harmonic oscillator with classical frequency ω\omega, when suddenly the spring constant quadruples, so ω′=2ω\omega' = 2\omega, without initially changing the wave function (of course, Ψ\Psi will now evolve differently, because the Hamiltonian has changed). What is the probability that a measurement of the energy would still return the value ℏω/2\hbar\omega/2? What is the probability of getting ℏω\hbar\omega? *Answer:* 0.943.

Related theory

Browse the problem library