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Homework Statement
The ground state wave function for a particle of mass m moving with energy E in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential with classical frequency omega is:
u(subscript 0) (x)= N(subscript 0) exp((-alpha^2)(x^2)/2) and alpha=sqrt (m *omega/h-bar)
where N(subscript 0) is some normalisation constant
a) for the ground state, show explicitly that the quantum mechanical expectation values <x> and <p> are both zero
b) if the uncertainties delta x and delta p are given by:
(delta x)^2=<x^2>-<x>^2
(delta p)^2=<p^2>-<p>^2
obtain an expression for the expectation value of E in terms of the uncertainties
c)If ΔxΔp = c for c a constant, deduce a value for c by minimising the ground state energy. What significance
does the value of c have in light of the uncertainty principle ?
The Attempt at a Solution
I haven't tried part a yet, but for part b:
<E>=<p^2>/2m
=((delta p)^2 - <p>^2)^2)/2m
I don't know if the above is correct and I have no idea how to get it in terms of delta x. Please help
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