
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Join Physics Forums Today!

7th grade Ground State Harmonic Oscillator problem

  1. Mar 4, 2008 #1

    Calculate the probability for finding the ground state harmonic oscillator
    beyond its classical turning points.

    2. Relevant equations

    Psi n(q) = (alpha/pi)^(1/4) exp(−alpha*q^(2)/2), where alpha = (kμ)^(1/2)/h bar

    3. The attempt at a solution

    i know it's going to be probability = 1-intergral of psi*psi, but i'm not sure what the boundaries are.
  2. jcsd
  3. Mar 5, 2008 #2


    User Avatar
    Homework Helper

    7th grade? Anyway, the classical turning points are just the points x where E=V(x). Here V(x) is a parabola, so there will be two solutions, one the negative of the other. You'll want to integrate |psi|^2 outside this region.

Have something to add?