Scribd
Upload
68 views

Spring Term 2019 Revision Problem Sheet

1. The document provides 7 problems related to mathematical methods. Problem 1 involves computing the momentum and solving the Euler-Lagrange equation for relativistic particles. Problem 2 finds poles and residues of complex functions. Problem 3 computes a contour integral. Problem 4 expresses a function as a Fourier integral and finds a particular solution to an ODE. Problems 5-7 involve Fourier transforms, quantum mechanics, and tensor forms of Maxwell's equations with magnetic monopoles.

Uploaded by

Roy Vesey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
68 views

Spring Term 2019 Revision Problem Sheet

1. The document provides 7 problems related to mathematical methods. Problem 1 involves computing the momentum and solving the Euler-Lagrange equation for relativistic particles. Problem 2 finds poles and residues of complex functions. Problem 3 computes a contour integral. Problem 4 expresses a function as a Fourier integral and finds a particular solution to an ODE. Problems 5-7 involve Fourier transforms, quantum mechanics, and tensor forms of Maxwell's equations with magnetic monopoles.

Uploaded by

Roy Vesey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Mathematical Methods Spring term 2019

Revision Problem Sheet

1. The motion of a free relativistic particle moving in one dimension


is de-scribed by the Lagrangian
s
ẋ2
L = −mc2 1 − ,
c2
where m is the particle mass and c is the speed of light.
i) Compute the momentum p = ∂L/∂ ẋ and show that ẋ is a constant
of the motion.
ii) A Lagrangian for a charged particle in a constant electric field E is1
s
2 ẋ2
L = −mc 1− + qEx,
c2
where q is the charge. Solve the Euler-Lagrange equation assuming the
particle is at rest at t = 0.
Hint: determine p(t) and use this to find ẋ(t) which can be integrated
to obtain x(t).
2. Find the poles and associated residues of the meromorphic functions
eiz 1
i) f (z) = , ii) f (z) =
1 + z2 (z + 1)(z + 2)(z + 3)

3. Compute
dz I
P
C z
where C is the square contour with vertices at 0, 1, 1 + i and i (take
the orientation anti-clockwise).
Hint: Does the half residue rule apply to this contour?
1 2
4. i) Express x2 e− 2 x as a Fourier integral (results from previous problem
sheets may be useful).
ii) Find a particular solution to the ODE
1 2
ẍ(t) + 3ẋ(t) + 2x(t) = t2 e− 2 t .
1
A relativistic
q Lagrangian for a charged particle in an arbitrary electromagnetic field
is L = −mc 1 − ṙ2 /c2 + qA · ṙ − qφ.
2

1
5. Find the Fourier transform of
2
f(x) = sign(x) − tan−1 x.
π

6. In quantum mechanics a particle is described by a complex wave func-


tion ψ(x). Alternatively, a particle can be described by a complex wave
function, ψ̃(p), depending on momentum p rather than position x. The
two wave functions are related through the Fourier integral formula
1 Z ∞ −ipx/h̄
ψ̃(p) = √ e ψ(x) dx.
2πh̄ −∞

i) Show that if ψ(x) is normalised then so is ψ̃(p), that is


Z ∞
ψ̃ ∗ (p)ψ̃(p) dp = 1.
−∞

ii) In three dimensions the momentum-space wave function is


1 Z
ψ̃(p) = e−ip·r/h̄ ψ(r) d3 r.
(2πh̄)3/2

The ground state wave function for a Hydrogen atom is ψ(r) = e−|r|/a
where a is the Bohr radius. Compute ψ̃(p) for this state.
Hints: Exploit the spherical symmetry of the wave function - as ψ(r)
depends on r = |r| the momentum-space wave function ψ̃(p) is a func-
tion of |p| only2 . Set p = pk and compute ψ̃ using spherical polar
coordinates.

7. A scalar (or rank 0 tensor) is unaffected by an orthogonal transfor-


mation x0i = Rij xj . A pseudo-scalar has the transformation prop-erty φ0
= detR φ. If magnetic monopoles exist, the following modified Maxwell
equations might apply
∂B
∇ · B = ρm ∇×E=− − jm .
∂t
where ρm is the magnetic charge density and jm is the magnetic current
density. Show that ρm is a pseudo-scalar and jm is an axial vector. Can
you write these modified Maxwell equations in tensor form?

2
More formally, spherical symmetry is preserved by the Fourier transform.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy