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Problem 1.3

This document summarizes the solution to Problem 1.3 from Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 3rd edition, which involves determining properties of a Gaussian probability distribution. [1] The distribution is normalized by requiring its integral to be 1, determining the constant A. [2] The mean hxi is then found to be equal to the constant a, while the variance hx^2i is calculated to be 1/(2λ) + a^2. [3] The standard deviation σ is therefore the square root of 1/(2λ).

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182 views3 pages

Problem 1.3

This document summarizes the solution to Problem 1.3 from Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 3rd edition, which involves determining properties of a Gaussian probability distribution. [1] The distribution is normalized by requiring its integral to be 1, determining the constant A. [2] The mean hxi is then found to be equal to the constant a, while the variance hx^2i is calculated to be 1/(2λ) + a^2. [3] The standard deviation σ is therefore the square root of 1/(2λ).

Uploaded by

abc xyz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 3e: Problem 1.

3 Page 1 of 3

Problem 1.3
Consider the gaussian distribution
2
ρ(x) = Ae−λ(x−a) ,

where A, a, and λ are positive real constants. (The necessary integrals are inside the back cover.)

(a) Use Equation 1.16 to determine A.

(b) Find hxi, hx2 i, and σ.

(c) Sketch the graph of ρ(x).

Solution

The needed integrals from inside the back cover are given here.
ˆ ∞
2 2 √ (2n)!  a 2n+1
x2n e−x /a dx = π (1)
0 n! 2
ˆ ∞
2 2 n!
x2n+1 e−x /a dx = a2n+2 (2)
0 2

Part (a)

The probability distribution here is gaussian, and it’s assumed to be valid over the whole line.
2
ρ(x) = Ae−λ(x−a) , −∞ < x < ∞

Normalize the distribution by requiring the integral of ρ(x) to be 1.


ˆ ∞
ρ(x) dx = 1
−∞
ˆ ∞
2
Ae−λ(x−a) dx = 1
−∞
Bring A out in front and make the substitution u = x − a. Then du = dx.
ˆ ∞
2
A e−λu du = 1
−∞
ˆ ∞ √
2 /(1/ λ)2
A e−u du = 1
−∞
Since the integrand is an even function of u, the integral can be taken from 0 to ∞ as long as a
factor of 2 is placed in front. ˆ ∞
2
√ 2
2A e−u /(1/ λ) du = 1
0
Use equation (1) here with n = 0.
q 
1
√ λ
2A · π =1
2

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Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 3e: Problem 1.3 Page 2 of 3

Solve for A. r
λ
A=
π
Therefore, the normalized probability distribution is
r
λ −λ(x−a)2
ρ(x) = e , −∞ < x < ∞.
π
Part (b)

Now calculate hxi. Note that the integral of an odd function over a symmetric interval is zero.
ˆ ∞ ˆ ∞ r
λ −λ(x−a)2
xρ(x) dx x e dx r ˆ ∞
π λ 2
hxi = ˆ ∞
−∞
= −∞
= (u + a)e−λu du
1 π −∞
ρ(x) dx
−∞
r ˆ ˆ ∞
∞ 
λ 2 2
= ue−λu du + a e−λu du
π −∞ −∞
| {z }
=0
r  ˆ
∞ √ 2

λ 2
= 2a e−u /(1/ λ) du
π 0
 
r  √1
λ √ λ 
= 2a · π
π 2

=a

Then calculate hx2 i.


ˆ ∞ ˆ ∞
r
λ −λ(x−a)2
x2 ρ(x) dx x2 e dx
π
hx2 i = ˆ
−∞
∞ = −∞
1
ρ(x) dx
−∞
r ˆ
λ ∞ 2
= (u + a)2 e−λu du
π −∞
r ˆ ˆ ∞ ˆ ∞
∞ 
λ 2 2 2
= u2 e−λu du + 2a ue−λu du + a2 e−λu du
π −∞
| −∞ {z } −∞
=0
r  ˆ ˆ ∞
∞ √ √ 2

λ 2 2 2
= 2 u2 e−u /(1/ λ) du + 2a2 e−u /(1/ λ) du
π 0 0
r  1 !3 1 !

√ √
λ  √ (2)! λ √ λ 
= 2· π + 2a2 · π
π 1! 2 2
r  r r 
λ 1 π π
= + a2
π 2 λ3 λ
1
= + a2
2λ

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Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 3e: Problem 1.3 Page 3 of 3

To determine the standard deviation, use equation (1.19) in the textbook.


p
σ = hx2 i − hxi2 (1.19)
s 
1
= + a − (a)2
2
2λ
r
1
=
2λ
1
=√
2λ
Part (c)

Below is a plot of ρ(x) versus x for the special case that λ = 1 and a = 2.

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