This set of Physical Chemistry Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Eigenfunctions and Probability Densities for Hydrogen Like Atoms”.
1. What is the wavefunction for a one-electron system called?
a) An eigenvalue
b) A vector
c) An eigenfunction
d) An orbital
View Answer
Explanation: Orbitals are quantum mechanical wavefunctions for single electron systems. There are three types of atomic orbitals: s, p, d, and f. Each of these have a shape and type of wavefunction describing them. Orbitals are associated with their quantum numbers n, l, and m.
2. What do radial functions for hydrogen like atoms depend on?
a) Quantum numbers n, l, and m
b) Quantum numbers n, l and atomic number Z
c) Quantum numbers n and l only
d) Atomic number Z only
View Answer
Explanation: Radial functions specifically depend on principal energy levels and angular momentum quantum numbers that determine orbital shape. Atomic number affects atomic size, and hence the radial functions that describe these atomic shapes.
3. A hydrogen atom described by the wavefunction: ψ = \(\frac{1}{2}\)|3pz > + \(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}\)| 4d-2 >. What is the expectation value of the total angular momentum operator, L2?
a) 5h2
b) h2
c) 3h2
d) 2h2
View Answer
Explanation: L2 is given by the formula: L2 = ∑|Cn|2h2l(l+1), where l is the angular quantum number and Cn is the coefficient of each superposition state. For the given superposition, l is one and 2 respectively, which gives L2 = \((\frac{1}{2})^2\) h2 (1(1 + 1)) + \((\frac{\sqrt 3}{2})^2\) h2 (2(2 + 1)) = 5h2
4. A hydrogen atom described by the wavefunction: ψ = \(\frac{1}{2}\)|3pz > + \(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}\)| 4d-2 > What is the expectation value for the energy in this state?
a) –\(\frac{1}{10}\)RH
b) –\(\frac{47}{230}\)RH
c) –\(\frac{43}{576}\)RH
d) –\(\frac{2}{5}\)RH
View Answer
Explanation: Total expectation of energy is given by ∑|Cn|2\((\frac{-R_H}{n^2})\). This gives the total energy as \((\frac{1}{4} × \frac{-R_H}{3^2}) + (\frac{3}{4} × \frac{-R_H}{4^2}) = -\frac{1}{36}\) RH –\(\frac{3}{96}\) RH = –\(\frac{43}{576}\) RH.
5. A hydrogen atom described by the wavefunction: ψ = \(\frac{1}{2}\)|3pz > + \(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}\)| 4d-2 >. What is the expectation value of Lz, the projection of angular momentum on the z-axis?
a) -1.75h
b) 1.75h
c) 2h
d) -2h
View Answer
Explanation: Total expectation of Lz is given by ∑|Cn|2(mh), where ‘m’ denotes the magnetic quantum number of the state. For the 3pz orbital, m = -1 and for the 4d-2 orbital m = -2. This gives Lz = \((\frac{1}{4}\) × -1 × h) + \((\frac{3}{4}\) × -2 × h) = -1.75h
6. A hydrogen atom has one radial plane and two radial nodes. What are the values of n and l?
a) n = 2, l = 1
b) n = 2, l = 0
c) n = 3, l = 0
d) n = 4, l = 1
View Answer
Explanation: A 4p orbital has one radial plane and two radial nodes. The number of radial nodes is equal to n-l-1. Since only a p orbital can have one radial plane, l must be 1, and plugging this in the previous expression gives n = 4 and l = 1.
7. A hydrogen atom has one radial plane and two radial nodes. How many orbitals fit this description?
a) 4 orbitals
b) 2 orbitals
c) 1 orbital
d) 3 orbitals
View Answer
Explanation: The relationship between quantum number(s) and number of radial nodes is given by #radial nodes = n-l-1. L is 1 since a “p” orbital can only have a single radial plane and plugging it into the expression gives n as 4. For a principal quantum number of 4 and a p orbital, there are 3 possible orbitals of 4px, 4py, or 4pz. Hence the description fits 3 orbitals.
Since the orbital is 4p, it can be 4px, 4py, or 4pz. Thus, this description fits 3 orbitals.
8. A hydrogen atom exists in a state |4dxy >. Is this an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian, and if yes, what is its eigenvalue?
a) Yes, eigenvalue: –\(\frac{R_H}{16}\)
b) Yes, eigenvalue: –\(\frac{R_H}{9}\)
c) Yes, eigenvalue: –\(\frac{R_H}{4}\)
d) No, it is not an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian
View Answer
Explanation: Energy levels are given by En = –\(\frac{R_H}{n^2}\). The principal quantum number for this state is n = 4, hence the eigenvalue for this state is En = –\(\frac{R_H}{n^2}\) = –\(\frac{R_H}{16}\)
9. A hydrogen atom exists in a state |4dxy >. Is this an eigenstate of the angular momentum operator L2, and if yes, what is its eigenvalue?
a) Yes, eigenvalue: 2ħ2
b) Yes, eigenvalue: 6ħ2
c) Yes, eigenvalue: 3πħ2
d) No, it is not an eigenstate of this operator
View Answer
Explanation: Since l=2 in this state (d orbital), Eigenstates for the angular momentum operator for this is given by L2 = ħ2l(l + 1) = 6ħ2
10. A hydrogen atom exists in a state |4dxy >. Is this an eigenstate of the angular momentum operator projection Lz, and if yes, what is its eigenvalue?
a) Yes, eigenvalue: 2ħ
b) Yes, eigenvalue: 6ħ
c) Yes, eigenvalue: 3ħ
d) No, it is not an eigenstate of this operator
View Answer
Explanation: This is not an eigenstate because this hydrogen atom is a superposition of states with different quantum numbers m: |4dxy > = \(\frac{1}{\sqrt 2i}\)(|4d+2 > – |4d-2 >)
11. A hydrogen atom exists in the superposition state: φ = \(\frac{1}{2}\)|3pz > + \(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}\)| 4d-2 >. What is one possible outcome of measuring Lz with its probability?
a) 2ℏ, probability: 0.5
b) ℏ, probability: 0.75
c) 0, probability: 0.5
d) 0, probability: 0.25
View Answer
Explanation: 3pz is equivalent to 3p0 with n = 3, l = 1 and m = 0. For m = 0, Lz = mℏ = (0)ℏ = 0. Probability = (\(\frac{1}{2})^2 = \frac{1}{4}\).
12. A hydrogen atom exists in the superposition state: φ = \(\frac{1}{2}\)|3pz > + \(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}\)| 4d-2 >. What is one possible outcome of measuring Lz with its probability?
a) -2ℏ, probability: 0.75
b) ℏ, probability: 0.75
c) 0, probability: 0.5
d) 0, probability: 0.75
View Answer
Explanation: 4d-2 is n = 4, l = 2 and m = -2. For m = -2, Lz = mℏ =(-2)ℏ = -2ℏ. Probability = \((\frac{\sqrt 3}{2})^2\) = 0.75
13. A hydrogen atom exists in the superposition state: φ = \(\frac{1}{2}\)|3pz > + \(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}\)| 4d-2 >. What is the expectation value of Lz in this state?
a) ℏ
b) -1.5ℏ
c) -2ℏ
d) 0
View Answer
Explanation: < Lz > = P1.0 + P2.(-2ℏ) = ℏ(0 – 1.5) = -1.5ℏ.
14. A hydrogen atom exists in the superposition state: φ = \(\frac{1}{2}\)|3pz > + \(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}\)| 4d-2 >. What is the expectation value of L2 in this state?
a) ℏ2
b) -1.5ℏ
c) 5ℏ2
d) 0
View Answer
Explanation: < L2 > = 0.25ℏ21(1 + 1) + 0.75ℏ2 2(2 + 1) = ℏ2(0.5 + 4.5) = 5ℏ2.
15. A hydrogen atom exists in the superposition state: φ = \(\frac{1}{2}\)|3pz > + \(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}\)| 4d-2 >. What is the expectation value of energy in this state?
a) \(\frac{97}{433}\)RH
b) –\(\frac{43}{576}\)RH
c) 0
d) \(\frac{R_H}{2}\)
View Answer
Explanation: < E > = P1.(\(\frac{-R_H}{9})\) + P2.(-\(\frac{R_H}{16})\) = -RH(\(\frac{1}{36} + \frac{3}{64}) = -\frac{43}{576}\)RH.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Physical Chemistry.
To practice all areas of Physical Chemistry, here is complete set of Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]
