Question

Exercise 44 gives an antisymmetric multiparticle state for two particles in a box with opposite spins. Another antisymmetric state with spins opposite and the same quantum numbers is ${\mathbf{\psi }}_{\mathbf{n}}\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{x}}_{\mathbf{1}}\mathbf{\right)}{\mathbf{\downarrow }}_{{\mathbf{n}}^{\mathbf{2}}}\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{x}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{\uparrow }\mathbf{-}{\mathbf{\psi }}_{{\mathbf{n}}^{\mathbf{n}}}\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{x}}_{\mathbf{1}}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{\uparrow }{\mathbf{\psi }}_{\mathbf{n}}\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{x}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{\downarrow }$

Refer to these states as 1 and 11. We have tended to characterize exchange symmetry as to whether the state's sign changes when we swap particle labels. but we could achieve the same result by instead swapping the particles' stares, specifically theandin equation (8-22). In this exercise. we look at swapping only parts of the state-spatial or spin.

(a) What is the exchange symmetric-symmetric (unchanged). antisymmetric (switching sign). or neither-of multiparticle states 1 and Itwith respect to swapping spatial states alone?

(b) Answer the same question. but with respect to swapping spin states/arrows alone.

(c) Show that the algebraic sum of states I and II may be written$\mathbf{(}{\mathbf{\psi }}_{\mathbf{n}}\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{x}}_{\mathbf{1}}\mathbf{\right)}{\mathbf{\psi }}_{{\mathbf{n}}^{\mathbf{\text{'}}}}\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{x}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{-}{\mathbf{\psi }}_{{\mathbf{n}}^{\mathbf{\text{'}}}}\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{x}}_{\mathbf{1}}\mathbf{\right)}{\mathbf{\psi }}_{\mathbf{n}}\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{x}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{\downarrow }\mathbf{\uparrow }\mathbf{+}\mathbf{\uparrow }\mathbf{\downarrow }\mathbf{)}$

Where the left arrow in any couple represents the spin of particle 1 and the right arrow that of particle?

(d) Answer the same questions as in parts (a) and (b), but for this algebraic sum.

(e) ls the sum of states I and 11 still antisymmetric if we swap the particles' total-spatial plus spin-states?

(f) if the two particles repel each other, would any of the three multiparticle states-l. II. and the sum-be preferred?

Explain.

Short answer

(a) The resultant answer is Neither.

(b) The resultant answer is Neither.

(c) The resultant answer is ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )$.

(d) The resultant answer is antisymmetric, symmetric.

(e) The resultant answer is yes; algebraic sum is antisymmetric.

(f) The resultant answer is sum is preferred.

Step-by-step solution

Given data

The two combinations of spin and spatial wave.

Concept of Determinant

The energy of electron in ${\mathbf{\text{n}}}^{\mathbf{\text{th}}}$-orbit:$\mathbf{E}\mathbf{=}{\mathbf{Z}}^{\mathbf{2}}\left(-\frac{13.6\mathrm{eV}}{n^2}\right)$

The energy KE which an object of charge q gains by passing through the potential difference$\mathbf{\Delta V}$is $\mathbf{KE}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{q\Delta V}$.

Determine the function

(a)

The two combinations of spin and spatial wave function are:

${\mathrm{\psi }}_1({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow$……… (1)

$\uparrow$

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{II}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$……… (2)

$\downarrow$

Where, ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)=\sqrt{\frac{2}{\mathrm{L}}}\sin \frac{{\mathrm{n\pi x}}_1}{\mathrm{L}}$and ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)=\sqrt{\frac{2}{\mathrm{L}}}\sin \frac{{\mathrm{n\pi x}}_2}{\mathrm{L}}$

After interchanging the spatial state ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)$and ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$of ${\mathrm{\psi }}_1({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)$, it become

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{I}}^{\text{'}}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow$………. (3)

After Interchange the spatial state ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)$and ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$of${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{II}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)$ , it become

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{II}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow$…….. (4)

Determine the function

(b)

The two combinations of spin and spatial wave function are:

${\mathrm{\psi }}_1({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$ ……… (1)

$\uparrow$

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{II}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$……… (2)

$\downarrow$

Where, ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)=\sqrt{\frac{2}{\mathrm{L}}}\sin \frac{{\mathrm{n\pi x}}_1}{\mathrm{L}}$and ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)=\sqrt{\frac{2}{\mathrm{L}}}\sin \frac{{\mathrm{n\pi x}}_2}{\mathrm{L}}$

After interchanging the spatial state ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)$and${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$ of ${\mathrm{\psi }}_1({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)$, it become

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{I}}^{\text{'}}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow$………. (3)

After Interchange the spatial state${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)$ and ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$of ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{II}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)$, it become

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{II}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow$…….. (4)

Determine the function

(c)

The two combinations of spin and spatial wave function are:

${\mathrm{\psi }}_1({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$ ……… (1)

$\uparrow$

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{II}}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)={\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)$……… (2)

$\downarrow$

Where, ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)=\sqrt{\frac{2}{\mathrm{L}}}\sin \frac{{\mathrm{n\pi x}}_1}{\mathrm{L}}$ and ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)=\sqrt{\frac{2}{\mathrm{L}}}\sin \frac{{\mathrm{n\pi x}}_2}{\mathrm{L}}$

Add states (I) and (II) together to obtain

$\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}={\mathrm{\psi }}_1({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)+{\mathrm{\psi }}_{11}({\mathrm{x}}_1,{\mathrm{x}}_2)\\ {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}=\left[\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow \\ {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\downarrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\uparrow -{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)\uparrow {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)\downarrow \end{array}\right]\\ {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}=\left[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)(\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)(\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )\right]\\ {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )\end{array}$

Determine the function

(d)

Algebraic sum of state I and state II is${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )$

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}}^{\text{'}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )$

Interchanging spatial state alone,

$\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{A},\text{sum}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )\\ {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{A},\text{sum}}=-[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )\\ {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{A},\text{sum}}=-[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )\end{array}$

So, it asymmetric

Interchanging spin state alone,

$\begin{array}{c}{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{s},\text{sum}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\downarrow \uparrow +\uparrow \downarrow )\\ [{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )\end{array}$

Interchanging spin doesn't change the sign, so it is symmetric.

Determine the function

(e)

Algebraic sum of state I and state II is${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )$

Swapping spatial state would change the sign of the algebraic sum, so it become asymmetric. But swapping spin state would not able to the sign of the algebraic sum, so it become symmetric.

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )$

So, first swapping spatial state

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}^{\text{'}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )$

Secondly swap spin state

${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}^{\text{'}}=[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)](\downarrow \uparrow +\uparrow \downarrow )$

Rearranging the above function

$\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}^{\text{'}}=-[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )\\ {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}^{\text{'}}=-[{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{{\text{n}}^{\text{'}}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_1\right){\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{n}}\left({\mathrm{x}}_2\right)](\uparrow \downarrow +\downarrow \uparrow )\\ {\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}^{\text{'}}=-{\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}\end{array}$

Determine the function 

(f)

Since, multiple of particle states I and II are neither symmetric nor antisymmetric but the sum of the state ${\mathrm{\psi }}_{\text{sum}}$is asymmetric so it would be preferred to keep the repelling particles farther apart, to keep retain the lower energy.