[Physics] Two Particle System with Identical Particles

identical-particlesquantum mechanicswavefunction

I'm studying for an exam in quantum mechanics and tried to calculate the ground state and the first two excited states of two identical bosons (spin 0) in an infinite one dimensional potential well.

As I've understood, the state for two identical bosons should be
$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\psi_1(x_1)\psi_2(x_2)+\psi_1(x_2)\psi_2(x_1))$

However, in the solutions manual the correct answer is
$\psi_1(x_1)\psi_1(x_2)\\$ for the ground state
$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\psi_1(x_1)\psi_2(x_2)+\psi_1(x_2)\psi_2(x_1))\\$ for the first excited state and
$\psi_2(x_1)\psi_2(x_2)$ for the second excited state

How can the ground state and the second excited state be represented by the simple product and not on the same form as in the first excited state? They are still identical, right? Or does this have to do with symmetry? In that case, how should I think to get it right?

Best Answer

The simple product $\psi_1(x_1)\psi_1(x_2)$ is already symmetric under $x_1 \leftrightarrow x_2$. So it is not necessary to symmetrize the wave function by adding in the term you get when you switch $x_1$ and $x_2$.