Sketching Wave Functions - Step 1

To help you draw wave functions, use the Wave Function Sketcher program. The program has a window for drawing wave functions and another the energies. Generally, we will establish the energy graph first. This graph is based on the physical situation. Our first situation will be the one described in the diagram.

 

The vertical dotted line marks the boundary between regions. Move it to the location that you wish to use for the change in potential energy. Now we wish to set the values of the potential energy.

 

Use the “Potential” tab at the bottom of the screen and adjust the “Height” and “Right Level” both to 1eV. Adjust the “Total Energy” to 3eV. The potential energy diagram should look like the one below.

 

You have now completed step 1 in drawing wave functions.