- Suppose a quanton's wavefunction at a given time is y(x) = Ae-(x/a)², where A is an un- specified constant and a = 1.5nm. According to the table of integrals |_*_*[e={{x/a)²]dx = a√ñ 102 If we perform an experiment to locate the quanton at this time, what would be the proba- bility of a result within +0.1nm of the origin? (Hint: Note that 0.1 nm is pretty small com- pared to the range over which the exponential varies significantly. You should not therefore have to actually calculate and integral.)

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### Understanding Quantum Wavefunctions

**Wavefunction Description:**

Suppose a quanton's wavefunction at a given time is 

\[
\psi(x) = A e^{-\frac{1}{2}(x/a)^2}
\]

where \(A\) is an unspecified constant and \(a = 1.5 \, \text{nm}\).

**Integral Calculations:**

According to the table of integrals:

\[
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \left[e^{-\frac{1}{2}(x/a)^2}\right] dx = a \sqrt{\pi}
\]

---

**Probability within a Specified Range:**

If we perform an experiment to locate the quanton at this time, what would be the probability of a result within \(\pm 0.1 \, \text{nm}\) of the origin?

*(Hint: Note that 0.1 nm is pretty small compared to the range over which the exponential varies significantly. You should not therefore have to actually calculate an integral.)*

---

This explanation deals with the integral of a Gaussian function, which is crucial in understanding quantum mechanics and probability amplitudes. The hint helps students conceptualize probability without necessarily performing a calculation, by recognizing the negligible probability over a small range in comparison to the function’s significant spread.
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding Quantum Wavefunctions **Wavefunction Description:** Suppose a quanton's wavefunction at a given time is \[ \psi(x) = A e^{-\frac{1}{2}(x/a)^2} \] where \(A\) is an unspecified constant and \(a = 1.5 \, \text{nm}\). **Integral Calculations:** According to the table of integrals: \[ \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \left[e^{-\frac{1}{2}(x/a)^2}\right] dx = a \sqrt{\pi} \] --- **Probability within a Specified Range:** If we perform an experiment to locate the quanton at this time, what would be the probability of a result within \(\pm 0.1 \, \text{nm}\) of the origin? *(Hint: Note that 0.1 nm is pretty small compared to the range over which the exponential varies significantly. You should not therefore have to actually calculate an integral.)* --- This explanation deals with the integral of a Gaussian function, which is crucial in understanding quantum mechanics and probability amplitudes. The hint helps students conceptualize probability without necessarily performing a calculation, by recognizing the negligible probability over a small range in comparison to the function’s significant spread.
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