Question
Question: How can I calculate the ground state energy?...
How can I calculate the ground state energy?
Solution
from the given ground state energy, we can calculate the kinetic energy by using KE=−E, where KE is the kinetic energy and E is the ground state energy. And the potential energy will be given by using PE=2×KE where PE is the potential energy and KE is the kinetic energy
Complete step by step solution:
Here we will take an example of hydrogen and try to calculate ground state energy.
The ground state of a quantum- mechanical system is its lowest-energy state; the energy of the ground state is known as the zero-point energy of the system. An excited state is any state with energy greater than the ground state. The kinetic energy of the electron is given as: KE=−E
Where, KE is the kinetic energy and E is the ground state energy. Kinetic Energy: The Kinetic energy (KE) of an object is the energy that it possesses due to its motion. It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes.
∴KE=−(−13.67eV)
Thus, KE=+13.67eV The potential energy of the electron is given as: PE=−2×KE
Where PE is the potential energy and E is the ground state energy. Potential Energy: Potential energy is the energy held by an object because of its position relative to other objects, stresses within itself, its electric charge, or other factors.
PE=−2×13.67eV
Thus, ∴PE=−27.2eV
In short, in order to find ground state energy, we first need to find KE and PE.
Note: The ground state energy is the total energy. E= T+V where T and V are kinetic and potential energy of the system. Therefore adding the above values that is 13.67+(−27.2) gives the −13.67eV which is the ground state energy (E).