Uncertainty product of infinite square well

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the uncertainty product for a particle in a one-dimensional infinite square well. Participants are analyzing the calculations related to the ground state wavefunction and the resulting uncertainty in position and momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the uncertainty product using the wavefunction for the infinite square well and are discussing the expectation values for position and momentum. There are questions about the correctness of the calculations and potential algebraic mistakes.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided detailed calculations and are questioning the accuracy of each other's work. There is an acknowledgment of possible typographical errors in the problem statement, and while some participants express confidence in their results, others are still exploring the implications of their findings.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the use of different symbols for Planck's constant, with discussions on the implications of using "h" versus "\hbar" in the context of the problem options provided.

mite
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For the ground state of a particle moving freely in a one-dimensional box 0\leqx\leqL with rigid reflecting end-points, the uncertainty product (del x)(del p) is
1 h/2
2 sqrt{2}h
3 >h/2
4 h/sqrt{3}

I used (del x)^2 =<x^2>-<x>^2 and (del p)^2 =<p^2>-<p>^2
Using the wavefunction of infinite square well potential in ground state i found the the expectation value . i got
(del x)(del p)= (h/2) ( sqrt{ (1/12) -- (1/2(Pi)^2) } )
which is none of the options.
How to solve it?
 
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I got a different answer. Please show us the details of your work. It's impossible to spot where your mistake is otherwise.
 
\Psi=\sqrt{}(2/L) Sin(\Pix/L)

<x>=\int(2/L) (Sin(\Pix/L)^2 x dx {in the limit 0 to L}
<x>=L/2

<x^2>=\int(2/L) (Sin(\Pix/L))^2 x^2 dx {in the limit 0 to L}
<x^2>=(L^2 / 3) - ( L^2 / (2 \Pi^2)

<p>=\int(2/L) Sin(\Pix/L) (-i \hbar d/dx) Sin(\Pix/L) dx {in the limit 0 to L}
<p>=0

<p^2>=\int(2/L) Sin(\Pix/L) ( - \hbar^2 d/dx (d/dx) ) Sin(\Pix/L) dx {in the limit 0 to L}
<p^2>= (\hbar^2 \Pi^2) /L^2

(del x)^2=<x^2>-<x>^2=( L^2 /12 ) - ( L^2 /( 2 \Pi^2) )
(del p)^2=<p^2>-<p>^2=(\hbar^2 \Pi^2) /L^2

(del x)(del p)= (\hbar\Pi/L) \sqrt{}(( L^2 /12 ) - ( L^2 /( 2 \Pi^2) ) )
(del x)(del p)=(h/2) \sqrt{}( (1/12) - ( 1 / ( 2 \Pi^2 ) ) )
 
Last edited:
In the very last step, you made an algebra mistake when you pulled the factor of L/2π out.

<br /> \Delta x \Delta p &amp; = \frac{\hbar\pi}{L} \sqrt{\frac{L^2}{12}-\frac{L^2}{2\pi^2}} =<br /> \frac{\hbar\pi}{L} \sqrt{\frac{L^2}{(2\pi)^2}\left(\frac{1}{3}-\frac{2}{\pi^2}\right)}<br />
 
Last edited:
In the question all the options are expressed in terms of " h " rather then " \hbar " so i used \hbar=h/(2\Pi) hence i got the last step
 
Oh, I see. Your answer looks fine. It's probably just a typo in the problem where they meant \hbar instead of h.

(Not sure what I was thinking when I wrote that last radical.)
 
Right thank you :smile:
 

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