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Quantum Bound States

Explore the properties of quantum "particles" bound in potential wells. See how the wave functions and probability densities that describe them evolve (or don't) over time.

 
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Version 1.06
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Topics Teaching Ideas Software Requirements Translated Versions Credits

Topics

Main Topics

  • Quantum particles
  • Potential wells
  • Wave
  • Probability densities

Related Topics

Sample Learning Goals

  • Visualize wave functions, probability densities, and energy levels for bound states in various potentials.
  • Describe how multiple representations used for wave functions relate to one another.
  • Explain what is and is not time-dependent for an energy eigenstate and a superposition state.
  • Predict how the curvature and amplitude of the wave function and the spacing of the energy levels depends on the shape of the potential and the mass of the particle.
  • Gain an intuition for how band structure results in a lattice of many wells.
  • Gain an intuition for how to go from the microscopic potential of a single atom to the macroscopic potential of a solid.

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Teaching Ideas

Tips for Teachers

The teacher's guide contains tips for teachers created by the PhET team (PDF).

Ideas and Activities for this Sim

There are 2 contributions listed.

Ascending Sort (Z-A)Title Author Level Type Updated
potential well lab T. PaglioneUG-AdvLab11/09
Spinometer C. MounceUG-AdvDemo7/09

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Software Requirements

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Windows Systems Macintosh Systems Linux Systems
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7
Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later

 OS 10.4.11 or later
Apple Java 1.5.0_19 or later

 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later

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Translated Versions

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Credits

Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Chris Malley (developer)
  • Sam McKagan (lead)
  • Kathy Perkins
  • Carl Wieman
  • Interviewer: Sam McKagan
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