A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics · Problem 7.10

Path Integrals — John S. Townsend

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · harmonic-oscillator-earth-tunnel

Problem

A small cylindrical tube is drilled through the Earth, passing through the center. A mass mm is released essentially at rest at the surface. Assuming the density of the Earth is uniform, show that the mass executes simple harmonic motion and determine the frequency ω\omega. Determine the approximate quantum number nn for this state of the mass, using a typical macroscopic value for the magnitude of the mass mm. Explain why a single quantum number nn is inadequate to specify the state.

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