1. Click on "Start Quantum Graph" below the right-hand graph. The graph shows the probability that a particle is in the ground state at some position x. You may vary n to see higher energy states. Under the left-hand graph, a ball is oscillating back and forth on a spring. What does the probability of finding the particle as a function of x look like? Why? After you answer, click "start Classical Graph" and check yourself. Was your answer right or wrong?
2. Under what conditions would the right-hand graph look like the left-hand graph. In other words, what is the correspondence between the classical and quantum position probabilities of a particle undergoing simple harmonic motion? Check your answer using the above "Start" buttons.
Script by Mario Belloni and Wolfgang Christian.
Questions by Larry Cain.
Java applets by Wolfgang Christian.