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Here is a question I would like answered. The wave function I am going to use for this example is the ground state of the infinite well but I assume the outcome to this problem will apply to any wave function.
Ground State:
ψ = √(2/a)*sin(∏nx/a) , where 0 < x < a
Lets say that I know a particle has this particular wave function. I wish to try to measure where the particle is. Let's say I stick in a device that can detect the particle between a/4 and 3a/4. Let's say that for the first experiment, I detect the particle. What will the resulting wave function look like or what will it collapse to? Let's say during the second experiment, I don't detect the particle. What will the resulting wave function look like or what will it collapse to?
What I am trying to get at is what wave functions look like in both cases. I'm very curious because I have never been told what the wave function is suppose to look like after it collapses. I hope I am making sense.
Thanks
Ground State:
ψ = √(2/a)*sin(∏nx/a) , where 0 < x < a
Lets say that I know a particle has this particular wave function. I wish to try to measure where the particle is. Let's say I stick in a device that can detect the particle between a/4 and 3a/4. Let's say that for the first experiment, I detect the particle. What will the resulting wave function look like or what will it collapse to? Let's say during the second experiment, I don't detect the particle. What will the resulting wave function look like or what will it collapse to?
What I am trying to get at is what wave functions look like in both cases. I'm very curious because I have never been told what the wave function is suppose to look like after it collapses. I hope I am making sense.
Thanks