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Problem 1.2: A quantum-mechanical wave packet moves in an infinite well

t = | x =

Please wait for the animation to completely load.

A quantum-mechanical wave packet moves in an infinite well with walls at x = 0 and x = 1 as shown in the animation (position and time are given in arbitrary units).

Take data from the animation and create a position vs. time graph of the central peak of the Gaussian wave function. To add data to the graph, type your (t, x) data into the text boxes and then click the "add datum"button. Use the "clear graph" button to start another graph. Restart.

  1. Describe in words the shape of the curve that will fit through your data.
  2. How accurate were your measurements when the packet was near the wall?
  3. What does this function tell you about the short-term behavior of the wave packet?
  4. How does it compare to what you might expect to see for the position of a classical particle in a similar infinite well?

When you get a good-looking graph, right-click on it to clone the graph and resize it for a better view.

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