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chromosome24
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Homework Statement
Regarding the wave function in an infinite square well extending from -L to L:
If the position is measured at time t, what results can be found and with what probabilities will this results be found?
Homework Equations
the wave function is a superposition of the ground and first excited state.
|psi(o)> = N[|1>+|2>]
N = normalization constan
The Attempt at a Solution
I'm having trouble conceptually understanding the question. my current thought process is that when the position is measured at time t the possible outcomes are the two eigenfunctions with probabilities equivalent to the corresponding eigenfunctions expansion coefficient squared.
However for some reason this doesn't make any sense to me. another line of thinking is that because the basis of our operator is all x between -L and L, the possible outcomes of measuring position at time t are all x between -L and L. Is it correct to say then that the probability of measuring a certain position x` is given by the wave functions probability distribution evaluated at x`
I am in an agonizing state of confusion so any help is much appreciated.