Question

10. (1 mark) Look at the following normalized (real) wavefur ook at the following normalized (real) wavefunctions, plotted as "(x) versus x, for a particle in a box -1 < x < 1. 1.25 0.751 0.5 0.25 -0.25 -0.5 005 -0.5 0 0 1 -0.5 0.5 Which wavefunction (A, B or C) will yield the largest value for <x>? Justify your answer using only ONE grammatically correct sentence. (Hint: you should be able to answer the following question without any calculations by just looking at the graphs.)

Question category: quantum mechanics, quantum chemistry

Answer 1

A and C both are symmetrical wave functions with zero intensity at x=0 in -1<x<1 region so so their average position (<x>) will be at x=0 where as for B it is unsymmetrical wave function so its average position (<x>) will be positive as it has more intensity in x>0 region so its <x> value will be maximum.