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Probability of Finding an Electron Inside the Bohr Radius

Keywords: Central Forces, Quantum Mechanics, Angular Momentum, Eigenstates, Quantum Measurement, Probability Density, Eigenvalues, Small Group Activity,

cfqmbohrradius.jpg

Highlights of the activity

  1. This small group activity is designed to help students practice elementary quantum calculations on the Hydrogen atom.
  2. Students work in small groups to calculate the probability that an electron in a hydrogen atom will be within one Bohr radius of the center.
  3. The whole class wrap-up discussion synthesizes much of the material in this course as well as the previous Paradigms courses focusing on quantum mechanics.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

This activity gives students a chance to synthesize much of the other material in the course. It also forces them to consider the three-dimensional aspect to the probability. It provides a chance to reinforce issues of orthonormality and to help students distinguish between probability and probability density.

Reflections

Instructor's Guide

Student Handouts

cfqmbohrradiushand.pdf

cfqmbohrradiushand.tex


Authors: David McIntyre, Mary Bridget Kustusch
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