A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics · Problem 10.14

Time-Independent Perturbations — John S. Townsend

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · virial-theorem-applications

Problem

(a) Calculate ⟨V⟩\langle V \rangle for the ground state of hydrogen. Show that E=⟨V⟩/2E = \langle V \rangle/2. What is ⟨K⟩\langle K \rangle, the expectation value of the kinetic energy, for the ground state? Show that these expectation values obey the virial theorem from classical mechanics. (b) Calculate ⟨V⟩\langle V \rangle for the ground state of the isotropic three-dimensional harmonic oscillator. How are ⟨K⟩\langle K \rangle and ⟨V⟩\langle V \rangle related for the oscillator? What do you expect based on the virial theorem? Explain.

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