Free particle wave function behavior

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding the wave function behavior of a free particle as described in Griffiths' Intro to Quantum Mechanics. The wave function given is normalized, and participants analyze the relationships between Psi(x,t) and Phi(k), particularly how they illustrate the uncertainty principle. It is noted that a smaller value of 'a' results in a sharper peak for Psi and a broader spread for Phi, while a larger 'a' leads to the opposite behavior. Clarification is provided that Phi(k) represents the momentum distribution, with its amplitude indicating the presence of specific momentum values rather than being the momentum itself. The exchange emphasizes the Fourier transform relationship between Psi and Phi, reinforcing the connection to the uncertainty principle.
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Homework Statement


Griffiths Intro Quantum Mechanics free particle question.
Normalize wave function, find Phi(k), Psi(x,t), and comment on its behavior for small and large a.
The wave function given is Ae-a|x|

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I found the correct Phi(k), but for the small a vs large a, I don't understand why Phi(k) corresponds to momentum. I see that there is a small spread with a sharper peak in Psi with a flatter, more spread out Phi, and a flatter more spread out Psi with a sharper, smaller spread Phi, but I don't see how this is an example of the uncertainty principle. I don't see from reading Griffiths how Phi is any indication of momentum.[/B]
 
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Bookshop's closed at this time. Could you render the problem statement explicitly, so I can see a k too ? Or show what you have worked out so far ?

Eager to help, but without means,
BvU
 
Yeah I can do that in a few hours. I'm not sure how to use latex so I'll have to look that up since I don't see a way to graphically insert symbols.

In the meantime, this is the text in the book the problem refers to. It's from an older edition on my phone which doesn't have the practice problem. But I'm trying to understand how the Phi(k) corresponds to momentum. The book talking about their behaviors as an example of the uncertainty principle. I understand the behaviors, but I don't see how that integral that gives you Phi is momentum.
 
Here is the problem, and how Psi(x,0), Psi(x,t), and Phi(k) are constructed
Screen shot 2014-10-03 at 4.10.08 PM.jpg

Screen shot 2014-10-03 at 4.17.46 PM.jpg
Screen shot 2014-10-03 at 4.17.58 PM.jpg
Screen shot 2014-10-03 at 4.17.30 PM.jpg

Now I have found parts A-C fine, with <br /> \Psi(x,0) having a normalization constant of <br /> \sqrt{\frac{a}{2\pi}} \\<br /> \phi(k) = \frac{2a}{k^2+a^2}\sqrt{\frac{a}{2\pi}}

For the last part, I understand how for small a Psi has a sharper peak and smaller spread, while phi is broader with a larger spread, and I see that for large a Psi is broad with a larger spread while Psi has a sharper peak, but I am failing to understand how this illustrates the uncertainty principle since I don't see how phi represents momentum. I thought phi (with the 1 over root 2 pi) would be the coefficients of the individual solutions, allowing you to represent Psi as a general solution (linear combination of solutions)
 
The ##e^{ikx}## are the eigenfunctions of the momentum operator: ##{\hbar\over i}{\partial \over \partial x} e^{ikx} = \hbar k e^{ikx}##, so the ##\phi(k)## is a momentum distribution. ##\phi(k)## is not the momentum itself (that is ##\hbar k##), but the amplitude of that momentum in the momentum distribution. For example: if ##\phi(k)=\delta(k_0)## (infinitely sharp), then ##\psi=e^{ik_0 x}## with only one single momentum ##\hbar k_0## (infinitely extended).

I think you 've got the picture allright: ##\phi(k)## and ##\psi(x)## are each others Fourier transforms: one wide -> the other sharp and vice versa.
 
thanks
 
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