The amplitude of a wave function representing a moving particle can change from

Question

The amplitude of a wave function representing a moving particle can change from positive to negative values in the domain (0, a) over which the wave function is defined. It must therefore pass through zero at some value x0, where 0 < x0 < a. Therefore the probability of the particle being at x0 is zero and the particle can't get from a position x < x0 to a position x > x0. Is this reasoning correct?

A)--It is correct.

B)--It is incorrect. One can't speak of a quantum mechanical particle being at a particular position. It has a nonzero probability of being in any interval dx in the range over which the particle is defined.

C)--It is correct. However, for a large number of identical particles, 50% will be found in the interval x < x0 and 50% will be found in the interval x > x0.

D)--It is incorrect. The particle tunnels through the interval dx in which the amplitude is zero.

Explanation / Answer

B.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.