Animation 1 | Animation 2

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Shown are both an infinite and a finite square well with L = 2 (from x = −1 to x = 1) to which you can add a symmetric potential energy barrier or well from from x = −0.5 to x = 0.5. Use the slider to change the size of this addition. To see the other bound states, simply click-drag in the energy level diagram on the left to select a level. The selected level will turn red.  For the animation we have set: ħ = 2m = 1.   Answer the following for both the infinite and finite well:

1. Make the step V = −200. What happens to the wave function for small n and large n?  What happens to the energy spectrum?
2. Make the step V = −100. What happens to the wave function for small n and large n?  What happens to the energy spectrum?
3. Make the step V = 100. What happens to the wave function for small n and large n?  What happens to the energy spectrum?
4. Make the step V = 200. What happens to the wave function for small n and large n?  What happens to the energy spectrum?