Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-a-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2012/paper-1/section-c/c11/b/solution

The Time-dependent Schrödinger equation governs unitary evolution of a closed system. If is independent of time, expand in its energy eigenstates:
An individual energy eigenstate changes only by a phase, so its probability density and time-independent-observable expectations are stationary. Superpositions can have interference terms oscillating at ; fixed energy populations do not imply that every observable is constant.
For general , requires time ordering unless Quantum Hamiltonians at different times commute. The equivalent Heisenberg description evolves observables rather than the state, giving . Explicit time dependence can transfer energy from an applied perturbation.
For a weak perturbation to a known , the first-order transition amplitude from to is
Its squared modulus gives the leading transition probability while depletion remains small. A nearly monochromatic perturbation emphasizes energy differences near its quantum of frequency; a continuum and suitable long-time limit yield Fermi's golden rule. These approximations have stated weak-coupling and time-resolution limits; they do not replace exact unitary dynamics in every regime.

New to topics? Read the docs here!