Infinite Well Simulation

Description:

This simulation calculates the wave functions and energies which are solutions to Schroedinger's equation for a particle inside a one dimensional infinite square well (the sides of the well are infinitely hard so that the wave functions cannot penetrate the walls).  


You can choose to find the solution for a chosen quantum number by clicking on the green lines on the right. Holding the mouse down in the window shows the x location of the mouse and the energy.

Question 1:

What are the energies for the first 4 energy levels? What do you notice about the spacing of the energy levels as you increase n?

Question 2: 

How much energy would be given off (in the form of a photon) if the electron made a transition from the n = 7 to the n = 6 energy level?

Question 3:

Recalling that the probability for finding an electron is given by the wave function squared, use the mouse to find the x locations of the maximum probability for finding the electron for the n = 6 energy level.

Question 4:

What do you notice about the spacing of maximum probability for finding the electron as you increase the quantum number? Explain how this agrees with the correspondence principle which says that quantum systems approach the classical answer as quantum numbers get large.

Question 5:

What do you notice about the left and right ends of the wave functions (where they meet the walls of the well) for all energies? According to the simulation, what must be the boundary condition for electron waves in an infinite well?