Module 2 : Atomic Physics & Atomic Structure
Lecture 9 : Interpretation of Wavefunction and Modification for Alkali atoms
 

To compare the differences between the functions  and for the n = 1 and n = 2 states of hydrogen, they are plotted on the same graph as shown in the following Figure - 9.9 and Figure - 9.10:

  • The increase in l by 1 from 2s to 2p states means that neither nor  have nodes. Asymptotically, both functions decay at the same rate as their 2s counterparts, because the decay constant for a pure- Coulomb potential energy doesn't depend on l.
  • The sole peak in  occurs at r = 4, where its value is 0.19. Interestingly, the mean radius of 2p state = 5 is 1smaller than that of the 2s state.
  • In the plots of reduced radial functions , and , note the differences in these functions rise from 0. The functions and rise like r, in which is faster than while rises like .

Figure - 9.9

Figure - 9.10