The value of "a" is found to be 0.5 nm^-1, and the probability of finding the electron between x = 1.0 nm and x = 2.0 nm is 0.25 or 25%, as calculated based on the area of the corresponding triangle in the graph.
Find the value of a and the probability of finding the electron between x = 1.0 nm and x = 2.0 nm:
Finding the value of a:
Recognize the shape: The graph is a triangle.
Recall the area formula for a triangle: Area = (base * height) / 2
Identify the base and height: In this case, the base of the triangle is 2 nm (from -1 nm to 1 nm on the x-axis) and the height is "a" (the vertical axis is not labeled, but we are asked to find the value of a).
Relate the area to the probability: The total area under the curve must be equal to 1, because the probability of finding the electron somewhere must be 100%.
Set up the equation: (2 nm * a) / 2 = 1
Solve for a: a = 1 / (2 nm) = 0.5 nm^-1
Finding the probability between x = 1.0 nm and x = 2.0 nm:
Identify the relevant area: We are interested in the area of the triangle between x = 1.0 nm and x = 2.0 nm.
Recognize the shape: This part of the graph is also a triangle.
Calculate the base and height of the smaller triangle: The base is 1 nm (from 1 nm to 2 nm on the x-axis) and the height is still "a" (0.5 nm^-1).
Calculate the area of the smaller triangle: (1 nm * 0.5 nm^-1) / 2 = 0.25
Interpret the result: The area of the smaller triangle represents the probability of finding the electron between x = 1.0 nm and x = 2.0 nm. Therefore, the probability is 0.25 or 25%.
Complete question:
The figure (figure 1)is a graph of |ψ(x)|2 for an electron. what is the value of a?What is the probability that the electron is located between x = 1.0 nm and x = 2.0 nm??