Calculating Average Energy of a quantum state

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the average energy ##\langle E \rangle## of the given wave function ##\Psi = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}}\psi _1 + \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\psi _2##, the coefficients ##c_n## must be identified using the formula ##\langle H \rangle = \sum |c_n|^2 E_n##. The energy levels are defined as ##E_n = \frac{n^2 \pi^2 \hbar^2}{2mL^2}##, but the length of the box ##L## is not provided, leading to uncertainty in determining ##E_n##. Two approaches are suggested: treating ##L## as a parameter in the final answer or considering potential cancellations in the calculations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of proceeding with the calculations despite the missing information.
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Homework Statement


Given a wave function that is the super position of the two lowest energies of a particle in an infinite square well ##\Psi = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}}\psi _1 + \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\psi _2##, find ##\langle E \rangle##.

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The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not sure how to proceed with this problem. I understand that we basically need to find the coefficients ##c_n## from ##\langle H \rangle = \sum |c_n|^2 E_n##, but I'm not sure how to find ##E_n##. The energy of each state is known to be ##E_n = \frac{n^2 \pi ^2 \hbar ^2}{2mL^2}##, but without the problem giving the length of the box, I can't see how we can use this.
 
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Two possibilities:
  1. Continue with ##L## as a parameter that stays in the answer. Same for ##m, \hbar, \pi##, (There is no need for a numerical value in this exercise).
  2. Continue and perhaps some of these divide out (for example because of normalization constants)
In both cases: continue :smile:

PS my money definitely isn't on case 2 :biggrin:
 
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