How Do You Calculate the Probability of Finding a Particle in the Ground State?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the probability of finding a particle in the ground state within a potential box defined by the wave function ψ(x,0) = 1/5(√6sin(∏x/a) + 2sin(2∏x/a)). Participants are exploring the implications of this wave function and the associated calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the normalization of the wave function and the integration process to find the probability. There are inquiries about the presence of the variable "a" in the final result and its implications for the probability calculation. Some participants question the understanding of coefficients in the wave function expansion.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants attempting to clarify their understanding of the problem and the calculations involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the normalization and interpretation of coefficients, but no consensus has been reached on the final probability value.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of homework rules that require participants to show their work before receiving assistance. Additionally, there is a request for clearer notation, indicating potential confusion in the mathematical expressions presented.

R-ckay
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a particle is confined in a potential box 0≤x≤a. when t=0 wave function is given: ψ(x,0)=1/5(√6sin(∏x/a)+2sin(2∏x/a)). find probability of finding the particle in ground state and energy in ground state !

anyone please tell me how to solve the problem
 
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Have you thought about the problem yourself before? In this forum you don't get the solution without showing some work, but help to find the solution yourself, and this helps you more than you might think!
 
yes I have, sir
 
Post your attempt at the solution.
 
\int(boundary a to 0) |ψ(x,0)|^2=[ √6/√5sin(∏x/a)+2/√5sin(2∏x/a)][√6/√5sin(∏x/a)+2/√5sin(2∏x/a]
\int [6/5(sin(∏x/a))^2+2√6/5sin(∏x/a)sin(∏x/a)+2√6/5sin(∏x/a)sin(2∏x/a)+4/5(sin(2∏x/a))^2

but I didn't find the final value. there's still "a" in the final result instead of a number of probability.
 
R-ckay said:
\int(boundary a to 0) |ψ(x,0)|^2=[ √6/√5sin(∏x/a)+2/√5sin(2∏x/a)][√6/√5sin(∏x/a)+2/√5sin(2∏x/a]
\int [6/5(sin(∏x/a))^2+2√6/5sin(∏x/a)sin(∏x/a)+2√6/5sin(∏x/a)sin(2∏x/a)+4/5(sin(2∏x/a))^2

but I didn't find the final value. there's still "a" in the final result instead of a number of probability.

I honestly am having a hard time understand what you wrote, please write in Latex, it's there for a reason.

If I understand your question, you're asking how to find the probability that a measurement will produce a value ##E_n##, right?

Assuming that your wave function is already normalized, recall that

$$\Psi (x,0) = \sum ^{\infty} _{n=1} c_n \psi _n (x)$$

What does ##c_n## tell you?
 
R-ckay said:
\int(boundary a to 0) |ψ(x,0)|^2=[ √6/√5sin(∏x/a)+2/√5sin(2∏x/a)][√6/√5sin(∏x/a)+2/√5sin(2∏x/a]
\int [6/5(sin(∏x/a))^2+2√6/5sin(∏x/a)sin(∏x/a)+2√6/5sin(∏x/a)sin(2∏x/a)+4/5(sin(2∏x/a))^2

but I didn't find the final value. there's still "a" in the final result instead of a number of probability.
The presence of ##a## is not really a problem. What exactly are you trying to do here?
 

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