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Time Dependence for a Particle on a Ring

Keywords: Central Forces, Quantum Mechanics, Eigenstates, Eigenvalues, Angular Momentum, Time Dependence, Hermitian Operators, Probabilty, Degeneracy, Quantum Measurements, Small Group Activity

cfqmringgroup2.jpg

Highlights of the activity

  1. This small group activity is designed to help students work out time dependent solutions for a particle on a ring.
  2. Students work in small groups with linear combinations of eigenstates of a quantum particle confined to a ring and calculate the probability for angular momentum, energy, and position as function of time.
  3. The whole class wrap-up discussion includes group presentations, allowing students to recognize time evolution of non-trivial quantum states in a variety of representations.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

In this activity, students lean how to find probabilities as function of time and to discuss what is required for a measurement probability to depend upon time.

Reflections

Instructor's Guide

Student Handouts

cfqmringgroup2hand.pdf

cfqmringgroup2hand.tex


Authors: Corinne Manogue, Kerry Browne, Elizabeth Gire, Mary Bridget Kustusch, David McIntyre
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