Week 154: Variational and WKB Methods

Learning Objectives

• •**Apply** the variational principle to estimate ground state energies
• •**Construct** effective trial wavefunctions with appropriate symmetries
• •**Optimize** variational parameters using calculus
• •**Derive** the WKB approximation from the Schrodinger equation
• •**Use** connection formulas at classical turning points
• •**Calculate** tunneling rates through potential barriers
• •**Apply** the Born-Oppenheimer approximation to molecular systems