- #1
Colen
- 2
- 0
When we calculate the average of anything: we add up (or integrate) the sum{ [all the things were taking the average of] * [the probability of getting that thing ]}.
The thing about the average I'm that curious about is for example: the average height of 5 people turns out to be say 6 feet. suppose here it turns out that NONE of the people have a height of exactly 6 feet.
So the "average" (expectation value) doesn't correspond to an actual physical value that anyone person has.
So why is it that when we find the expectation value (of say position) on a particle it corresponds to a physical value that we can measure; when this value doesn't (necessarily) correspond to anyone actual value that the particle has?
I think the root of my problem is; how is it that the square of our wave function corresponds to the probability of finding that particle (at a given time and place) ?
Perhaps I'm confusing a single measurement on a particle compared to multiple measurements on a particle in multiple equally prepared states??
Anyways any clarification would be appreciated, Thanks
The thing about the average I'm that curious about is for example: the average height of 5 people turns out to be say 6 feet. suppose here it turns out that NONE of the people have a height of exactly 6 feet.
So the "average" (expectation value) doesn't correspond to an actual physical value that anyone person has.
So why is it that when we find the expectation value (of say position) on a particle it corresponds to a physical value that we can measure; when this value doesn't (necessarily) correspond to anyone actual value that the particle has?
I think the root of my problem is; how is it that the square of our wave function corresponds to the probability of finding that particle (at a given time and place) ?
Perhaps I'm confusing a single measurement on a particle compared to multiple measurements on a particle in multiple equally prepared states??
Anyways any clarification would be appreciated, Thanks