Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 39 - Wave Functions and Uncertainty - Exercises and Problems - Page 1176: 34

Answer

See the detailed answer below.

Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ We know that $$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} |\psi(x)|^2 dx = 1$$ 1. For $ 0 \leq x \leq 0.75 \;\text{nm} $, $$ \psi(x) =\dfrac{c}{0.75}x= \dfrac{4c}{3}x $$ 2. For $ 0.75 \;\text{nm} \leq x \leq 1.0 \;\text{nm} $, $$ \psi(x) =\dfrac{c}{0.25}(1.0 - x)= 4c(1.0 - x) $$ Since $\psi(x) = 0 $ outside the interval $[0, 1] $, we only need to integrate between $x = 0 $ and $x = 1.0 \; \rm{nm} $. We split the integration into two parts for each section of the wave function. $$1= \int_0^{0.75} \left( \frac{4c}{3} x \right)^2 dx + \int_{0.75}^{1.0} \left( 4c(1 - x) \right)^2 dx $$ $$1= \frac{16}{9} c^2 \left[ \frac{x^3}{3} \right]_0^{0.75} + 16 c^2 \left[ x - x^2 + \frac{x^3}{3} \right]_{0.75}^{1.0}$$ $$1= \frac{16}{9} \left[ \dfrac{9}{64} \right] c^2+ 16 \left[ \dfrac{1}{192} \right]c^2 $$ Thus, $$c=\pm \sqrt{3}$$ and we can dismiss the negative root since $c$ is in the positive $y$-direction. Therefore, $$c=\color{red}{\bf \sqrt{3}}\;\rm nm^{-1/2}$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ The graph of the probability density is the square of $\psi(x)$ graph. Noting that, at $x=0.75$ nm, $\psi(x)=\sqrt3$, hence $|\psi(x)|^2=3$. At $x=0.5$, nm, $\psi(x)=2\sqrt3/3$, hence $|\psi(x)|^2=4/3 $. $$\color{blue}{\bf [c]}$$ See the figure below. $$\color{blue}{\bf [d]}$$ We know that $$\text{Prob}(0.0 \; \text{nm} \leq x \leq 0.25 \; \text{nm}) = \int_{0.0}^{0.25} |\psi(x)|^2 dx $$ where $\psi(x)$ in this region is given by $\dfrac{4\sqrt3}{3}x$, so $$\text{Prob}(0.0 \; \text{nm} \leq x \leq 0.25 \; \text{nm}) = \frac{16}{3} \int_{0.0}^{0.25} x^2 dx $$ $$\text{Prob}(0.0 \; \text{nm} \leq x \leq 0.25 \; \text{nm}) = \frac{16}{3} \left[ \frac{x^3}{3} \right]_{0.0}^{0.25} = \frac{1}{36} $$ $$\text{Prob}(0.0 \; \text{nm} \leq x \leq 0.25 \; \text{nm}) = 0.028=\color{red}{\bf 2.8}\%$$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.