Physics GRE Discussion Forums

Posted: **Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:24 am**

*33. If a weak electric field of magnitude E is applied to an atom in its ground state (Stark effect), what happens to the energy of the atom?
(A)It is changed by an amount proportional to E.
(B)It is changed by an amount proportional to E2.
(C)It is changed by an amount proportional to E3.
(D)It is changed by an amount proportional to E4.
(E)It is not changed.

thank u in ad:)

Posted: **Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:03 pm**

I believe it is choice (A). First-order Perturbation is just the
perturbed field energy bra-ket'ed with the 0th order (unperturbed)
wave function.

More info on first-order pert's available (and explained with
beautiful LaTeX equations) at http://grephysics.net/disp.php?yload=pr ... =3&prob=94

Posted: **Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:15 pm**

the stark effect doesnt change the ground state energy

ANS. E

Physics GRE Discussion Forums

one problem about atoms in electric field

one problem about atoms in electric field