Ehrenfest Approach to the Adiabatic Invariants and Calculation of the Intervals of Time Entering the Energy Emission Process in Simple Quantum Systems

Abstract

In the first step, the Ehrenfest reasoning concerning the adiabatic invariance of the angular orbital momentum is applied to the electron motion in the hydrogen atom. It is demonstrated that the time of the energy emission from the quantum level n +1 to level n can be deduced from the orbital angular momentum examined in the hydrogen atom. This time is found precisely equal to the time interval dictated by the Joule-Lenz law governing the electron transition between the levels n +1 and n . In the next step, the mechanical parameters entering the quantum systems are applied in calculating the time intervals characteristic for the electron transitions. This concerns the neighbouring energy levels in the hydrogen atom as well as the Landau levels in the electron gas submitted to the action of a constant magnetic field.