Calculating Probability of Particle in First Excited State

In summary, the conversation discusses the quantum state of a particle defined by a linear combination of eigenfunctions, with corresponding eigenenergies. The question asks for the probability of measuring the particle in its first excited state. The suggested method is to use the integral of the initial state multiplied by the eigenstate with the energy corresponding to the first excited state, but the person is unsure and asks for clarification on the concept. The response suggests looking for the "Born rule" in lecture notes.
  • #1
oddiseas
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Homework Statement



A particle is in a quantum state defined by:

[tex]\Phi[/tex](x)=0.917[tex]\Psi_1[/tex]+0.316[tex]\Psi_2[/tex]+0.224[tex]\Psi_3[/tex]+a[tex]\Psi_4[/tex]

where [tex]\Psi[/tex] are the eigenfunctions for a particle in a box given by [tex]\Psi_n[/tex]=[tex]\sqrt{2/L}[/tex]sin(npix/L).

The corresponding eigenenergies are [tex]E_n[/tex]=1.5n^2eV

What is the probability that an energy measurement will find the particle in its first excited state?

Homework Equations



i was thinking to use the integral of the initial state, multiplied by the eigenstate with the energy corresponding to the first excited state, but i am not really sure, it is more of a guess, so if someone could explain the logic to me it would ve appreciated. i always get stuck on the probability questions when they refer to the probability of specific energy states or momentum states> so i would like to understand this concept instead of just copying a method.



The Attempt at a Solution


 
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  • #2
There's an axiom (some people call it the <Born rule>) telling you exactly what you need to find out: the probability of getting E_1 when measuring the energy. Search for it in your lecture notes.
 

FAQ: Calculating Probability of Particle in First Excited State

What is the first excited state of a particle?

The first excited state of a particle is the state in which the particle has absorbed enough energy to move from its ground state to a higher energy level. This state is characterized by the particle having a higher energy level and being in a more unstable state.

How is the probability of a particle being in the first excited state calculated?

The probability of a particle being in the first excited state is calculated using the formula P = (|c₁|² * E₁)/Σ(|cᵢ|² * Eᵢ), where c₁ is the coefficient of the first excited state, E₁ is the energy of the first excited state, and Σ(|cᵢ|² * Eᵢ) is the sum of the coefficients multiplied by their respective energies for all possible states.

What factors affect the probability of a particle being in the first excited state?

The probability of a particle being in the first excited state is affected by the energy of the particle, the energy of the first excited state, and the coefficients of all possible states. Additionally, the temperature and interactions with other particles can also affect the probability.

How does the probability of a particle being in the first excited state change over time?

The probability of a particle being in the first excited state can change over time due to interactions with other particles or changes in energy levels. For example, as a particle loses energy and moves from higher energy levels to lower energy levels, the probability of it being in the first excited state will decrease.

Can the probability of a particle being in the first excited state be greater than 1?

No, the probability of a particle being in the first excited state cannot be greater than 1. This is because the sum of the probabilities of all possible states must equal 1 according to the laws of probability.

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