Introduction to Electrodynamics · Problem 4.2

Electric Fields in Matter — David J. Griffiths

Physics · induced-dipoles-atomic-polarizability

Problem

According to quantum mechanics, the electron cloud for a hydrogen atom in the ground state has a charge density ρ(r)=qπa3e−2r/a,\rho(r) = \frac{q}{\pi a^3}e^{-2r/a}, where qq is the charge of the electron and aa is the Bohr radius. Find the atomic polarizability of such an atom. [Hint: First calculate the electric field of the electron cloud, Ee(r)E_e(r); then expand the exponential, assuming r≪ar \ll a.]

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