Central-potential radial quantum equation
For a rotationally invariant scalar potential V(r), simultaneous orbital-angular-momentum eigenstates separate as ψ=R_l(r)Y_lm(θ,φ).
Key knowledge
For a rotationally invariant scalar potential V(r), simultaneous orbital-angular-momentum eigenstates separate as ψ=R_l(r)Y_lm(θ,φ). Writing u_l=rR_l reduces the radial energy equation to −ħ²u_l″/(2m)+[V(r)+ħ²l(l+1)/(2mr²)]u_l=Eu_l, exposing the orbital centrifugal term.
Values and equations
−ħ²u_l″/(2m)+[V(r)+ħ²l(l+1)/(2mr²)]u_l=Eu_l; ψ=(u_l/r)Y_lm_l
- u_l
- Normalized radial amplitude m⁻¹ᐟ²
- r
- Radius m
- m
- Particle mass kg
- ħ
- Reduced Planck constant J s
- V,E
- Potential and eigenenergy J
- l,m_l
- Orbital and magnetic integer labels; l≥0, |m_l|≤l
- Y_lm_l
- Normalized spherical harmonic
Conditions and scope
- Nonrelativistic spin-independent central Hamiltonian with appropriate self-adjoint radial domain; normalized angular harmonics and ∫₀∞|u_l|²dr=1 for a bound radial state.
- Regular nonsingular potentials use the regular origin solution; singular potentials require their own domain/boundary analysis. The magnetic label m_l must not be confused with particle mass m.
Sources · 1
References
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Evidence and review
Quantum Mechanics (2016): Three-dimensional wave mechanics: Equations 4.110–4.119: central Hamiltonian, spherical-harmonic separation and radial equation; u=rR follows by substitution. Excludes the printed momentum-operator typo −i/ħ instead of −iħ.
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