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Wave Function and Probability

The wave function determines the probability of finding a particle at a given position and time. The probability is equal to the square of the wave function, and the total probability over all space must equal 1. For a particle in a one-dimensional box of width l, the wave function must be zero at the walls of the box. This requires that an integral number of half wavelengths fit inside the box, quantizing the possible energies and wavelengths. The probability of finding the particle at a given position depends on the wave function for that energy state.

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39 views

Wave Function and Probability

The wave function determines the probability of finding a particle at a given position and time. The probability is equal to the square of the wave function, and the total probability over all space must equal 1. For a particle in a one-dimensional box of width l, the wave function must be zero at the walls of the box. This requires that an integral number of half wavelengths fit inside the box, quantizing the possible energies and wavelengths. The probability of finding the particle at a given position depends on the wave function for that energy state.

Uploaded by

Sari_Marlia_7641
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Wave Function and Probability

Probability and Wave function


(Born’s statistical interpretation)

If particles are also waves, what’s waving? Probability

The wave function determines the likelihood (or probability) of


finding a particle at a particular position in space at a given time:
2
P( x)   ( x)
x2


2
 ( x) dx The probability of the particle being
between x1 and x2 is given by:
x1


2
The total probability of finding the particle
 ( x) dx  1 is 1. Forcing this condition on the wave
function is called normalization.

Particle in a Box

A particle (wave) of mass m is in a one-dimensional


box of width ℓ.
The box puts boundary conditions on the wave. The
wave function must be zero at the walls of the box and
on the outside.
In order for the probability to vanish at the walls, we
must have an integral number of half wavelengths in
the box:

2 2
The energy: p h
E  K .E.  12 mv 2  
2m 2m 2

The possible wavelengths


are quantized and hence
so are the energies:
Probability of the particle vs. position

•Note that E0 = 0 is not a


possible energy level.

•The concept of energy


levels, as first discussed in
the Bohr model, has
surfaced in a natural way
by using waves.

•The probability of
observing the particle
between x and x + dx in
each state is

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