Quantum mechanics probability detection

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the probability of detecting an electron in a one-dimensional infinite well using a probe. The width of the probe is 50 pm, prompting a debate on whether to treat this as a constant probability or to integrate for a more accurate result. Participants agree that integration is necessary for precise calculations, with the limits set between 75 pm and 125 pm. The integral involves using the sine function to determine the probability density. Overall, the consensus is that integrating is essential for an accurate probability assessment in this quantum mechanics problem.
hvthvt
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Homework Statement


A one-dimensional infinite well of length 200 pm contains an electron in its third excited state. We
position an electron-detector probe of width 50 pm so that it is centered within the well. (a) What is the probability of detection by the probe? (b) If we insert the probe as described 1000 times, how many times should we expect the electron to materialize on the end of the probe (and thus be detected)?

My question is: since the width is 50 pm, the interval is 50 pm, which is "relatively big". (E.g. 2.0pm would be small)
Should I integrate the formula which is given for probability OR is 50 pm small enough to see it as constant? Meaning that the probability would be 20% ?

Homework Equations



p=ψ2dx


The Attempt at a Solution



(√2/L * sin(xnπ/L))2 dx
 
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Its you who decides 50pm is small enough or not because it depends on the accuracy that you want!
 
Oh really, haha :) I guess that my answer would be wrong on the test if I would not integrate
 
hvthvt said:
Oh really, haha :) I guess that my answer would be wrong on the test if I would not integrate

Ohhh...looks like I should correct myself.Its your professor who decieds 50pm is small enough or not.And if he thought so,he would write it in the question.So yeah,you should integrate!
 
So how should I integrate this?
What are the limits? 75 and 125? because 50 is in the center of the 200.
So∫2/L*sin(3∏/200pm*x) integrating from 7 to 125. How should I work this out?
I should take y=3pix/L ??
 
The integral is:
\frac{2}{200}\int_{75}^{125} \sin^2{(\frac{3 \pi x}{200})} dx=\frac{1}{100}\int_{75}^{125}\frac{1-\cos{(\frac{3\pi x}{100})}}{2}dx=\frac{1}{200}[\frac{1}{2}x|_{75}^{125}-\frac{100}{6 \pi}\sin{(\frac{3\pi x}{100})}|_{75}^{125}]
Where I have used the identity \sin^2{x}=\frac{1}{2}(1-\cos{2x})
 
Ooooh.. That works well. Thank you very much !
 
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