Calculating Probability of Particle in a Box

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The discussion focuses on calculating the probability of finding a particle in a box of width L within the region [L/4, 3L/4] for both the ground state and the first excited state. The probability density function used is (2/L)sin²(nπx/L) for even n and (2/L)cos²(nπx/L) for odd n. The user initially made an error in their integration and calculations, resulting in a probability value greater than 1. After clarification, they corrected their boundaries to -L/2 and L/2 and identified mistakes in adding fractions post-integration. The final probabilities for n=1 and n=2 were confirmed as (2+π)/(2π) and 1/2, respectively.
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Homework Statement



A particle is in a box of width L. Calculate the probability to find the particle in the region [L/4, 3L/4] when the particle is a) in the ground state b) in the first excited state.

Homework Equations



(2/L)sin(n*π*x/L)^2 dx is the probability in [x, x+dx]

The Attempt at a Solution



Integrating that gives me 2/L[x/2-[L/(4π)]sin(2n*π*x/L)], boundaries being L/4 and 3L/4. For a) n=1 and b) n=2, right? After I plug in the values, I get value greater than 1. Where have I gone wrong?

Hopefully this is readable, no LaTeX. :cry:
 
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The probability density is (2/L)sin²(nπx/L) for even n and (2/L)cos²(nπx/L) for odd n.

EDIT: Sorry, this is only if you take the boundaries of the box to be -L/2 and L/2.
 
Last edited:
No, it's the same formula for all n!
After integration i got 2/L[x/2-[L/(4π n)]sin(2n*π*x/L)]
For n = 1 -> (2+π)/(2π)
for n = 2 -> 1/2
 
Yes sorry, I took the boundaries to be -L/2 and L/2.
 
Thanks for the replies, guys! I forgot the one n in my first post. I found out my error was in the easy stuff after the integration, I'd done a mistake in adding fractions. :redface:
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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