Probability of finding electron inside bohr radius

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the probability of finding an electron within the Bohr radius of a hydrogen atom in its ground state. Participants are exploring the mathematical representation of this probability and the relevant wavefunction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the graphical interpretation of probability as the area under a curve and question how to compute this mathematically. There is an inquiry into the representation of the hydrogen atom's wavefunction and its application in spherical coordinates.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered hints regarding the integration needed to find the area under the probability curve. Others are confirming the need to reference the ground state wavefunction, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the difficulty in visualizing the probability over the range from 0 to the Bohr radius, and a suggestion that the discussion may involve specific constraints related to homework guidelines.

JayKo
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Homework Statement


Consider an hydrogen atom in its ground state, what is the probability that the electron is found inside the Bohr Radius?


Homework Equations



The probability of finding the electron at bohr radius is maximum. but the probability over the range from 0 to bohr radius, is hard to visualize.

The Attempt at a Solution



http://www.physics.uc.edu/~sitko/CollegePhysicsIII/28-AtomicPhysics/AtomicPhysics_files/image024.jpg
graphically, the probability is area under the curve from 0 to bohr radius, but how to do it mathematically?
 
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Hint: The area under the curve f(x) between x_0 and x_1 is

\int_{x_0}^{x_1} f(x)dx
 
gabbagabbahey said:
Hint: The area under the curve f(x) between x_0 and x_1 is

\int_{x_0}^{x_1} f(x)dx
i know this, is a calculus. but the real things is how to represent the wavefunction of hydrogen atom?

Probability=\int\psi*\psi dx
 
The ground state wavefunction for a hydrogen atom is computed (at least approximately) in every introductory QM text I've seen...surely you've come across it before?
 
gabbagabbahey said:
The ground state wavefunction for a hydrogen atom is computed (at least approximately) in every introductory QM text I've seen...surely you've come across it before?

alright then, will flip through it, in case i miss out. thanks. by the way, i should be working in spherical coordinate right?
 
ok, that would be \psi_{100}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{\pi a^{3}}e^{\frac{-r}{a}}
bingo!\psi_{100}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{\pi a^{3}}e^{\frac{-r}{a}}
 
Last edited:

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