In summary, the conversation discusses the ground state wave-function of a 1-D harmonic oscillator and its potential and kinetic energy. The average potential energy is found to be 1/2 * the product of the oscillator's mass, angular frequency squared, and the average position squared. The average kinetic energy is found to be the average of the momentum squared divided by twice the mass. The momentum probability function is not explicitly stated, but the potential energy is found to be equal to 1/4 times the reduced Planck's constant times the angular frequency.
  • #1
ambroochi
1
0
The ground state wave-function of a 1-D harmonic oscillator is
$$
\psi(x) = \sqrt\frac{a}{\sqrt\pi} * exp(-\frac{a^2*x^2}{2}\frac{i\omega t}{2}).
$$
a) find Average potential energy ?
$$
\overline{V} = \frac{1}{2} \mu\omega^2\overline{x^2}
$$
b) find Average kinetic energy ?
$$
\overline{T} = \frac {\overline{p^2}}{2\mu}
$$

c) find momentum probability function ?

solving for a i got the answer as
$$
V=\frac{1}{4}\hbar\omega
$$

how do i find the momentum here ?
 
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  • #2
Hello Ambroochi. Welcome to PF :smile: !

That is all very nice, but what is your question ? And oh, perhaps you want to read the PF guidelines first. You will get much better assistance when you adhere to them !
 

1. What is the equation for the momentum of a 1d harmonic oscillator?

The equation for the momentum of a 1d harmonic oscillator is p = mv = mωAcos(ωt + φ), where m is the mass of the oscillator, ω is the angular frequency, A is the amplitude, t is time, and φ is the phase angle.

2. How does the momentum change over time for a 1d harmonic oscillator?

The momentum of a 1d harmonic oscillator changes sinusoidally over time, with a maximum value of mωA and a minimum value of -mωA. This is because the momentum is directly proportional to the velocity, which oscillates with the same frequency as the position of the oscillator.

3. Can the momentum of a 1d harmonic oscillator be negative?

Yes, the momentum of a 1d harmonic oscillator can be negative. This occurs when the oscillator is moving in the negative direction, resulting in a negative velocity and momentum.

4. How does the mass of the oscillator affect its momentum?

The mass of the oscillator directly affects its momentum, as seen in the equation p = mv. A larger mass will result in a larger momentum for the same velocity, while a smaller mass will result in a smaller momentum.

5. What happens to the momentum of a 1d harmonic oscillator when the amplitude changes?

The momentum of a 1d harmonic oscillator is directly proportional to its amplitude, as seen in the equation p = mωAcos(ωt + φ). Therefore, when the amplitude increases, the momentum also increases and when the amplitude decreases, the momentum also decreases.

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