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Saakaar 2025
Physics
Modern Physics DPP: 11

Particle in a Box, Part - 1

Q1 Which or the following wave functions can be and ψ2 (x) are the ground and the first excited states,
solutions of Schrodinger's equation for all values of respectively. The average value of x is given by
x ? (A) L/4 (B) L/3
(A) ψ = A sec x (C) L/2 (D) L
(B) ψ = A tan x
2 Q5 A particle of mass m is in a one dimensional potential
(C) ψ = Ae
x

2 0, 0 < x < L
(D) ψ = Ae
−x
V (x) = { At some instant its
∞, otherwise

Q2 The wave function of a quantum mechanical particle wave function is given by

−
−
is given by ψ(x) =
1
ψ1 (x) + i√
2
ψ2 (x) , where ψ1 (x)
√3 3
3 4
ψ(x) =
5
φ 1 (x) +
5
φ 2 (x) , and ψ2 (x) are the ground and the first excited states,
where φ 1 (x) and φ 2 (x) are eigenfunctions with respectively. The average value of energy is given by
conresponding energy eigenvalues 1eV and 5eV , (A) ( 13 ) π
2
ћ
2

respectively. The energy of the particle in the state ψ

18 mL
2

ћ
2

(B) ( 15 )
2
π
in eV is 18 2
mL

ћ
2

(C) 3
2
π

Q3 The wave function of a quantum mechanical particle mL

2

ћ
2

(D) 4
2

is given by π

2
3 4 mL
ψ(x) =
5
φ 1 (x) +
5
φ 2 (x) ,
where φ 1 (x) and φ 2 (x) are eigenfunctions with Q6 A particle of mass m is enclosed in 1D box of length
corresponding energy eigenvalues 1eV and 5eV , L i.e., 0<x<L where x denotes the position of particle
respectively. The value of < E
2
> is at time t. It has the wavefunction
2πx πx
(A) 26. 36 (eV )
2
(B) 24. 36 (eV )
2
Ψ (x, 0) = A sin (
L
) cos (
L
) . Expectation
(C) 16. 36 (eV )
2
(D) 14. 36 (eV )
2
value of the energy at time t = 0 is
(A) π
2
ћ
2

( )
Q4 A particle of mass m is in a one dimensional potential 2mL
2

0, 0 < x < L
V (x) = { At some instant its (B) π
2
ћ
2

3( )
∞, otherwise 2mL
2

wave function is given by (C) π

2
ћ
2

−
− 5( )
1 2 2

ψ(x) = ψ1 (x) + i√
3
ψ2 (x) , where ψ1 (x) 2mL
√3

(D)

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ћ
2 2
π
7( 2
)
2mL

Q7 A particle of mass m confined into a one dimensional

rigid box defined in the region 0 ≤ x ≤ a the
normalized wave function is given by
πx πx
ψ = A [1 + cos (
a
)] sin (
a
) then
normalization constant A is given by
−
− −
−
(A) √ 2 (B) √ 1
a a
−− −−
(C) √ 4 (D) √ 4

5a 3a

Q8 A particle in 1D box with wavefunction

Ψ (x, 0) = A [Ψ 1 (x) + e
iϕ
Ψ 2 (x)] . Find
<H >(x,0)
1 1
(A) 4
(E1 + E2 ) (B) 3
(E1 + E2 )
1
(C) 2
(E1 + E2 ) (D) (E1 + E2 )

Q9 A particle in the infinite square well where potential is

0 ; 0 < x < a
given as, V (x) = { is prepared
∞ ; otherwise

in a state with the wavefunction

−
−
3 2 πx
ψ (x) = √
a
sin (
a
) , then the average
√10

−
−
1 2 3πx
− √ sin ( )
√10 a a

2 2
π ħ
value of energy is given by ............. 2
ma

Q10 A particle of mass m which moves freely inside an

infinitely potential well of length L is initially in the
state
−
−− −
−−
3 3πx 1 5πx
Ψ (x, 0) = √
5L
sin (
L
) + √
5L
sin (
L
) .
Then the expectation value of energy is
2

(A) < ћ
2
13 π
E >=
2 2
mL

ћ
2

(B) < E >=

13 π
2

4 2
mL

ћ
2

(C) < E >=

21 π
2

2 2
mL

ћ
2

(D) < E >=

21 π
2

2
4 mL

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Answer Key
Q1 (D) Q6 (C)

Q2 3.56 Q7 (D)

Q3 (C) Q8 (C)

Q4 (C) Q9 0.9

Q5 (C) Q10 (A)

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Hints & Solutions

9 80
Q1 Text Solution: < ψ∣ ∣
∣H ∣ψ >= ( 25
)eV + (
25
)eV

Concept: < ψ∣ ∣
∣H ∣ψ >= (
89
)eV
25

A physically acceptable wave function must satisfy < ψ|H |ψ >= 3. 56 eV

certain properties:
Q3 Text Solution:
It must be finite and single-valued for all values of
ψ (x) = c1 ϕ1 (x) + c2 ϕ2 (x)
x. 3 4
ψ (x) = ϕ1 (x) + ϕ2 (x)
It must be continuous for all values of x. 5 5

ψ (x) is normalised
It must be square-integrable, meaning that the 2 2 2 2 2
< ψ∣ ∣
∣E ∣ψ >= c1 E1 + c2 E2
integral of its absolute value squared over all space 2 2
∣ 2∣ 3 2 4 2
< ψ E ψ >= ( ) (1eV ) + ( ) (5eV )
must be finite. ∣ ∣ 5 5

2 2
Explanation: < ψ∣
2∣
∣E ∣ψ >= (
9
)(eV ) + (
16
)25(eV )
25 25

The only wave function that satisfies all of the < ψ∣E
2∣
ψ >= (
409
)(eV )
2
∣ ∣ 25
properties of a physically acceptable wave function is 2∣ 2
< ψ∣
∣E ∣ψ >= 16. 36 (eV )
2

ψ(x) = Ae
(−x )
. This is because:
Q4 Text Solution:
It is finite for all values of x. 1
−
−
2
ψ (x) = ψ1 (x) + i√ ψ2 (x)
It is continuous for all values of x. √3 3

L
It is square-integrable. < x >= ∫
0
ψ * xψdx

1 L 2 L
The other wave functions do not satisfy all of these < x >=
3
∫
0
ψ1 xψ1 dx +
3
∫
0
∗
ψ xψ2 dx
2
−
−
properties: 2 πx
ψ1 = √ sin ( )
L L
ψ(x) = A sec(x) is not finite at x = ±π/2 . −
−
2 2πx
ψ(x) = A tan(x) is not defined at ψ2 = √
L
sin (
L
)

x = ±π/2 . < x >=

1

3
2
−
− −
−
ψ(x) = Ae
(x )
is not finite for negative values ∫
L
(√
2
sin (
πx
))x (√
2
sin (
πx
))dx
0 L L L L

of x. 2
+
Therefore, the correct option is 3

−
− −
−
2 L 2 2πx 2 2πx
(D) ψ(x) = Ae
(−x )
. ∫
0
(√
L
sin (
L
))x (√
L
sin (
L
))dx

1 2 L 2 πx 2 2
< x >= × ∫ x sin ( )dx + ×
Q2 Text Solution: 3 L 0 L 3 L

L 2 2πx
ψ (x) = c1 ϕ1 (x) + c2 ϕ2 (x) ∫ x sin ( )dx
0 L
3 4
ψ (x) =
5
ϕ1 (x) +
5
ϕ2 (x) Solving the above integral we will have
ψ (x) is normalised < x >=
1
×
2
(
L
2

) +
2
×
2
(
L
2

)
3 L 4 3 L 4
Also, L
< x >=
2 2 2
< ψ∣
∣H ∣
∣ψ >= c1 E1 + c2 E2

∣ ∣
< ψ H ψ >= (
3
)
2
(1eV ) + (
4
)
2
(5eV )
Q5 Text Solution:
∣ ∣ 5 5
ψ (x) = c1 ϕ1 (x) + c2 ϕ2 (x)
9 16
< ψ∣ ∣
∣H ∣ψ >= ( ) (1eV ) + ( ) (5eV )
25 25

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−
−
1 2 ∣ ∣ π
2
ћ
2

ψ (x) = ψ1 (x) + i√ ψ2 (x)

√3 3 < ψ∣E∣ψ >= 5 ( 2
)
∣ ∣ 2mL

ψ (x) is normalised
< ψ∣
2 2 Q7 Text Solution:
∣E∣
∣ψ >= c1 E1 + c2 E2

π
2
ћ
2
4π
2
ћ
2
Concept:
Where, E1 = , E2 =
2mL
2
2mL
2
The wave function (ψ) describes the quantum state of
−− −−
∣ ∣ 1 1
< ψ E ψ >= (√
∣ ∣ 3
) (√
3
)E1 a system, and normalization ensures that the
−
− −
− probability density associated with the wave function
2 2
+ (√ i) (−√ i)E2
3 3 is conserved.
∣ ∣ −− −−
ћ
2

< ψ∣E∣ψ >= (√

1
) (√
1
)(
π
2

)
Explanation:
2
3 3
∣ ∣ 2mL
The normalization condition for a wave function
−
−
2
−
−
2 4π
2
ћ
2
ψ (x) in one dimension is given by:
+ (√ i) (−√ i) ( )
3 3 2 +∞ 2
2mL
∫ |ψ (x)| dx = 1
−∞
∣ ∣ ћ
2
ћ
2

< ψ∣E∣ψ >= (

1
)(
π
2

) + (
2
)(
4π
2

)
This condition states that the total probability of
3 2 3 2
∣ ∣ 2mL 2mL
finding a particle in the entire space is equal to 1.
∣ ∣ 2
ћ
2

< ψ∣E∣ψ >= (3) (

π
)
Calculation:
2
∣ ∣ 2mL πx πx
Given: ψ = A [1 + cos (
a
)] sin (
a
)

Q6 Text Solution: ∫
+∞
∣
∣A [1 + cos (
πx
)] sin (
πx
)∣
∣
2
dx = 1
−∞ a a
2πx πx
Ψ (x, 0) = A sin ( ) cos ( ) +∞ 2
L L 2 πx πx
|A| ∫ {[1 + cos ( )] sin ( )} dx
3πx πx −∞ a a
sin( )+sin( )
L L

Ψ (x, 0) = A [ ] = 1
2
2 +∞ 2 πx +∞ πx
|A| {∫ sin ( )dx + ∫ {cos ( ) sin (
−∞ a −∞ a
A 3πx πx
Ψ (x, 0) = [sin ( ) + sin ( )]
2 L L
= 1
Ψ (x, 0) 2
|A|
A
=
2 +∞ 1 2πx
−
− −
− {∫ [1 − cos ( )]dx +
−
− −∞ 2 a
L 2 3πx L
[√ × √ sin ( ) + √
2 L L 2
+∞ 1 4πx
−
− ∫ [1 − cos ( )]dx} = 1
−∞ 4 a
2 πx
× √ sin ( )] 2 a a
L L 1 2πx 1
|A| { ∫ [1 − cos ( )]dx + ∫ [1 − cos
−
− 2 0 a 4 0
A L
Ψ (x, 0) = × √ [Ψ 3 + Ψ 1 ] = 1
2 2

2
A =
2
to be a normalized wavefunction |A| a (
1

2
+
1

4
) = 1
√L
−
− 2 4
1 L |A| =
Ψ (x, 0) = × √ [Ψ 3 + Ψ 1 ] 3a
2
√L −−
4
1 1 A = √
Ψ (x, 0) = [ Ψ3 + Ψ1 ] 3a
√2 √2

2 2 [limits of x become 0 to a because particle was

< ψ∣
∣E∣
∣ψ >= c1 E1 + c3 E3

π
2
ћ
2
9π
2
ћ
2 confined in the region 0 ≤ x ≤ a ]
E1 = , E3 =
2mL
2
2mL
2
Hence, option(d) is the correct ans.
∣ ∣ π
2
ћ
2
9π
2
ћ
2

1 1
< ψ∣E∣ψ >= (
2
)( 2
) + (
2
)( 2
) Q8 Text Solution:
∣ ∣ 2mL 2mL
iϕ
Ψ (x, 0) = A [Ψ 1 (x) + e Ψ 2 (x)]

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1 −
−− −
− −
−
A = to be a normalized wavefunction. Ψ (x, 0) = √
3
√
L
√
2
sin (
3πx
)
√2 2 L L
5L
1 iϕ
Ψ (x, 0) = [Ψ 1 (x) + e Ψ 2 (x)] −
−− −
− −
−
√2 1 L 2 5πx
+ √ √ √ sin ( )
5L 2 L L
1 1 iϕ
Ψ (x, 0) = [ Ψ 1 (x) + e Ψ 2 (x)] −
−− −
−
√2 √2 3 L
Ψ (x, 0) = √ √ Ψ 3 (x)
2 2 5L 2
< H >(x,0) = c1 E1 + c2 E2
−
−− −
−
2 2
1 L
1 1 iϕ −iϕ + √ √ Ψ 5 (x)
< H >(x,0) = ( ) E1 + ( ) e e E2 5L 2
√2 √2
−− −−
1 1 3 1
< H >(x,0) = ( )E1 + ( )E2 Ψ (x, 0) = √ Ψ 3 (x) + √ Ψ 5 (x)
2 2 10 10
1
< H >(x,0) = (E1 + E2 )
2 The above wavefunction is not normallized
Q9 Text Solution: It's normalized wavefunction will be
−− −−
Concept: Ψ (x, 0) = A [√
3
Ψ 3 (x) + √
1
Ψ 5 (x)]
10 10

The infinite square well potential, also known as the −

−
A = √
5
to be a normalized wavefunction.
infinite square well or particle in a box, is a simple 2

model potential used in quantum mechanics to Ψ (x, 0)

−
− −− −−
describe a particle confined to a one-dimensional 5
[√
3 1
= √ Ψ 3 (x) + √ Ψ 5 (x)]
2 10 10
region. The potential energy within this region is zero,
√3 1
Ψ (x, 0) = [ Ψ 3 (x) + Ψ 5 (x)]
and it becomes infinite outside the region. 2 2

Explanation: < E >= c3

2
E3 + c5
2
E5
2
Given, √3 1
2
< E >= ( ) E3 + ( ) E5
−
− 2 2
3 2 πx
ψ (x) = √ sin ( ) 3 1
√10 a a < E >= ( )E3 + ( )E5
4 4
−
−
ћ ћ
2 2 2 2

1 2 3πx 9π 25π
− √ sin ( ) E3 = , E5 =
2 2
√10 a a 2mL 2mL

ћ ћ
2 2 2 2

3 9π 1 25π
3 1
ψ (x) = ϕ1 (x) − ϕ3 (x) < E >= ( ) 2
+ ( ) 2
√10 √10 4 2mL 4 2mL

ћ
2 2
2 2 2 2
π ħ 9π ħ 52 π
⇒ E1 = , E3 = < E >= ( )
2 2 2
2ma 2ma 8 mL

ћ
2 2
π
⇒ <E> = an P (an ) 13
< E >= 2
2
Probability, mL

2
|<ϕ1 |ψ>| 9
P (E1 ) = =
<ψ|ψ> 10

2
|<ϕ2 |ψ>| 1
P (E2 ) = =
<ψ|ψ> 10

Average energy
2 2 2 2
9 π ħ 1 9π ħ
<E> = × + ×
10 2 10 2
2ma 2ma

2 2
9π ħ
<E> =
2
10ma

So, answer will be 0.9

Q10 Text Solution:

−
−− −
−−
3 3πx 1 5πx
Ψ (x, 0) = √ sin ( ) + √ sin ( )
5L L 5L L

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