# Quantum mechanics

1. Jan 2, 2010

### oddiseas

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A particle is in a quantum state defined by:

$$\Phi$$(x)=0.917$$\Psi_1$$+0.316$$\Psi_2$$+0.224$$\Psi_3$$+a$$\Psi_4$$

where $$\Psi$$ are the eigenfunctions for a particle in a box given by $$\Psi_n$$=$$\sqrt{2/L}$$sin(npix/L).

The corresponding eigenenergies are $$E_n$$=1.5n^2eV

What is the probability that an energy measurement will find the particle in its first excited state?

2. Relevant equations

i was thinking to use the integral of the initial state, multiplied by the eigenstate with the energy corresponding to the first excited state, but i am not really sure, it is more of a guess, so if someone could explain the logic to me it would ve appreciated. i always get stuck on the probability questions when they refer to the probability of specific energy states or momentum states> so i would like to understand this concept instead of just copying a method.

3. The attempt at a solution
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Jan 3, 2010

### dextercioby

There's an axiom (some people call it the <Born rule>) telling you exactly what you need to find out: the probability of getting E_1 when measuring the energy. Search for it in your lecture notes.