Free particle in one dimension

[angass]

Hi,
I´m not sure if my way of tackling a question, probably it's a trivial problem, but it's important for me to get it right so any help will be greeted.
The question is as follows:

Problem: consider a particle in a one-dimensional system. The wave function ψ(x) is as follows:
ψ(x)= 0 for (-∞<x<0),
ψ(x)= 1/√a for (0<x<a)
ψ(x)= 0 for (a<x<∞)

i) if the kinetic energy is measured what is the most probable value?
ii) which values of the momentum can never be found when measuring it?

My reasoning:
i) I use the operator for kinetic energy: K= -\frac{h^2}{2m}\frac{∂^2}{∂x^2}
which when applied: ∫ψ(x)*Kψ(x)dx gives me zero.
If this was right I assume the most probable value of the kinetic energy is zero.
ii) I have no clue whatsoever what the question means.

Thanks and forgive my bad english, regards from Spain!

 

[DrClaude]

Hi angass, welcome to PF!

The wave function ψ(x) is as follows:
ψ(x)= 0 for (-∞<x<0),
ψ(x)= 1/√a for (0<x<a)
ψ(x)= 0 for (a<x<∞)

Is that correct? Because this is not a continuous function, and therefore not a valid wave function.

 

[rigetFrog]

This looks suspiciously like a griffiths or leibowitz homework problem...

You want to take express psi(x) in a Fourier basis (as a sum of e^i(kx-wt)). Doing the Fourier transform will be a simple integral from 0 to a with 1/a^1/2 as a constant.

i) You're forgetting the edges at 0 and a. The derivative is not zero there. Once you express this function as Fourier expansion, you'll see you don't get zero anymore.

ii) apply the definition of p = i hbar d/dx to the Fourier transform. The answer should drop out. I expect some of the coefficients for specific k terms in the Fourier transform will be zero. (the Fourier basis is an eigen value of the momentum and kinetic energy operator)

 

[bhobba]

This looks suspiciously like a griffiths or leibowitz homework problem...

Same here mate.

To the OP if it is we have a homework section.

But if it isn't - Google is your friend eg:
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/TZD/PageProofs1/TAYL07-203-247.I.pdf

Thanks
Bill