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: 35

Answer

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ We know that $$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} |\psi(x)|^2 dx = 1\tag 1$$ We have here a wave function that is shown as a straight line passing through the origin. The slope of this line is given by ${\rm slope}=\dfrac{c}{4}$ So, $$\psi(x)=\dfrac{c}{4}x$$ Plug into (1); $$1=\int_{-4}^{4} \left[\dfrac{c}{4}x\right]^2 dx=\dfrac{c^2}{16} \int_{-4}^{4} x^2 dx$$ $$1 =\dfrac{2c^2}{16} \int_{0}^{4} x^2 dx=\dfrac{c^2}{24} x^3\bigg|_{0}^{4} $$ $$1 = \dfrac{8c^2}{3} $$ Thus, $$c=\color{red}{\bf\sqrt{\frac{3}{8}}}\;\rm mm^{-1/2}\approx \bf 0.612\;\rm mm^{-1/2}$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ The graph of the probability density is the square of the $\psi(x)$ graph. Noting that, at $x=4$ mm, $\psi(x)=\sqrt{3/8}$, hence $|\psi(x)|^2=3/8=0.375$ mm At $x=2$, mm, $\psi(x)=\sqrt6/16$, hence $|\psi(x)|^2=3/32 $ mm. $$\color{blue}{\bf [c]}$$ See the figure below. $$\color{blue}{\bf [d]}$$ We know that $$\text{Prob}(-2\; \text{mm} \leq x \leq 2\; \text{mm}) = \int_{-2}^{2} |\psi(x)|^2 dx $$ $$\text{Prob}(-2\; \text{mm} \leq x \leq 2\; \text{mm}) = 2\int_{0}^{2} |\psi(x)|^2 dx $$ where $\psi(x)$ in this region is given by $\dfrac{\sqrt{3/8}}{4}x$, so $$\text{Prob}(-2\; \text{mm} \leq x \leq 2\; \text{mm}) = 2\int_{0}^{2} \frac{3}{128}x^2 dx $$ $$\text{Prob}(-2\; \text{mm} \leq x \leq 2\; \text{mm}) = \frac{3}{64\times 3}\;\;x^3\bigg|_{0}^{2} =\frac{1}{8} $$ $$\text{Prob}(-2\; \text{mm} \leq x \leq 2\; \text{mm})= 0.125=\color{red}{\bf 12.5}\%$$
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