Sample Test Problems

  1. A hydrogen atom is in a uniform electric field in the $z$ direction which turns on abruptly at $t=0$ and decays exponentially as a function of time, $E(t)=E_0 e^{-t/\tau}$. The atom is initially in its ground state. Find the probability for the atom to have made a transition to the $2P$ state as $t\rightarrow\infty$. You need not evaluate the radial part of the integral. What $z$ components of orbital angular momentum are allowed in the $2P$ states generated by this transition?



Jim Branson 2013-04-22