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A model for electrons in a diatomic molecule

Do Problems 16-17, p. 112-113 of Gasiorowicz.

Math Hint: Your algebra will be simpler if you follow the transfer matrix approach (choosing tex2html_wrap_inline90 , tex2html_wrap_inline92 , tex2html_wrap_inline94 , tex2html_wrap_inline96 solutions centered on the appropriate boundaries), proceeding outward to the right from the central region. You now know from symmetry the proper form to choose in the central region.

Physics Note: You have just made a physical model of the quantum mechanics of the chemical bond. Separately, each of the two wells represents the potential seen by the valence electrons of an atom. Taken together, the two wells represent the potential seen by the valence electrons of a diatomic molecule in which the two atoms are at distance 2b from each other.





Prof. Tomas Alberto Arias
Sat May 3 22:22:05 EDT 1997