Schrodinger equation, normalizing

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on normalizing the wave function of a particle in an infinite potential well and deriving the dependence of the normalization constant B on the parameter b. The normalization condition leads to the expression B = √(2/(a(1 + b²))). Following normalization, the expectation value of energy is calculated using the momentum operator, with the formula for energy expressed in terms of the wave function. A question arises regarding the complexity of calculating the second derivative of the wave function, prompting a search for a simpler method. The conversation highlights the challenges of quantum mechanics calculations and the importance of normalization in determining physical properties.
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Homework Statement


Consider the infinite well, a particle with mass m in the potential

V(x) =<br /> \begin{cases}<br /> 0, &amp; 0 &lt; x &lt; a,\\<br /> \infty, &amp; \text{otherwise,}<br /> \end{cases},<br />

At t = 0 the particle is in the state:

\Psi(x,0) = B \left[\sin{\left(\frac{l \pi}{a}x\right)} + b\sin{\left(\frac{2l \pi}{a}x\right)}\right]
with b a real number and l a whole number. Use normalization to show how B depends on b.

1 = B^2 \int_0^a \left[\sin{\left(\frac{l \pi}{a}x\right)} + b\sin{\left(\frac{2l \pi}{a}x\right)}\right]^2 dx \\<br /> = B^2 \left(\frac{1}{2} \int_0^a (1 - \cos{\left(\frac{2 l \pi}{a}x\right)})dx + \frac{b^2}{2} \int_0^a (1 - \cos{\left(\frac{4 l \pi}{a}x\right)})dx + <br /> b\int_0^a \cos{\left(\frac{l \pi}{a}x\right)}dx + b\int_0^a \cos{\left(\frac{3 l \pi}{a}x\right)}dx\right)\\<br /> = B^2(\frac{a}{2} + \frac{b^2a}{2})

B = \sqrt{\frac{2}{a(1 + b^2)}}

Did I do this correctly?
 
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It looks correct.

ehild
 
Thanks.
 
Now I have to calculate the expectation value of the energy. E = \frac{p^2}{2m}, so \langle E \rangle = \langle \frac{p^2}{2m} \rangle and with \langle p \rangle = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \Psi^{\ast} \frac{\hbar}{i} \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \Psi dx we get:

\langle E \rangle = \frac{-\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{2}{a(1 + b^2)} \int_0^a \Psi^{\ast} \frac{\partial^2}{\partial x^2} \Psi dx

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