Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-theory-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2014/2/d/solution

For a normalized wavefunction, the expectation value of a function of position is
provided the integral exists. For an unnormalized state, divide this expression by . Put . The ground state has probability density , which is even. Thus
The zero mean position expresses symmetry, whereas this positive expectation value measures the mean distance from the centre.

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