ERIC Number: EJ1299944
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1309-7202
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Available Date: N/A
Solving Hydrogen Atom Problem Using Spherical Polar Coordinates: A Qualitative Study
Singh, Satya Pal
European Journal of Physics Education, v10 n4 p1-21 2019
Quantum mechanics has completed century since its genesis. Quantum mechanics is taught at various levels-starting from school and colleges to universities. Regression methods are introduced at under graduate and post graduate levels to solve Schrodinger equation for finding solutions of various trivial and non-trivial physical problems. The common problems, which students encounter at UG level are- particle in a box, potential step and barriers, harmonic oscillator and hydrogen atom. It has been observed that students lack clarity in solving and grasping the hydrogen atom problem. Two reasons can be accounted for this. It is perhaps a lengthy derivation and students, many times, are not well acquainted with the requisite knowledge of Spherical Polar Co-ordinate system. In this article, a brief review on the birth of quantum mechanics is presented judiciously discussing the contribution of Schrodinger, before solving the hydrogen atom problem. Readers are first introduced to spherical-polar coordinate system. The radial solutions, radial probability distribution functions, and hydrogen orbital, are plotted using Mathematica software v.12, for the sake of visualization and understanding.
Descriptors: Problem Solving, Quantum Mechanics, Mechanics (Physics), Science Instruction, College Science, Scientific Concepts, Concept Formation, Knowledge Level, Equations (Mathematics), Computer Software, Visual Aids, Visualization
Erciyes University. Melikgazi, Kayseri, 38039 Turkey. Tel: +90-352-207-6666; Web site: http://www.eu-journal.org/index.php/EJPE
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
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