Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2024/ib/paper-4/4a/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 ib Paper 4 4A Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-23 Updated 2026-10-03
The time-independent Schrodinger equation isIntegrating it over and letting shows that has no jump because is finite. A jump in would create a delta term in and hence a derivative of a delta in , so is also continuous.
For a bound state , defineThen the proposed even wavefunction solves the equation away from the interfaces, andContinuity at gives , while continuity of the derivative gives . Dividing yields the second required relationThus the lowest even state of the finite square well is the first-quadrant intersection, with , of the circle and the curve .
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