Determining Normalization Constant c: Homework

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the normalization constant \( c \) for the electron wave function \( \psi(x) = cx \) for \( |x| \leq 1 \, \text{nm} \) and \( \psi(x) = \frac{c}{|x|} \) for \( |x| > 1 \, \text{nm} \). The normalization condition requires that the integral of \( |\psi(x)|^2 \) over all space equals 1. The user attempts to solve the integral \( \int (c^2 x^2 + \frac{c^2}{x^2}) \, dx \) but is unsure how to proceed after splitting the integral into two parts. The correct approach involves evaluating the integrals separately for the defined ranges of \( x \).

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psingh
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Homework Statement



Consider the electron wave function where x is in nm:

psi(x)=cx |x|<= 1nm & c/s |x| => 1 nm

Determine the normalization constant c

Homework Equations



integral(|psi(x)|^2) dx=1 between infinity and negative infinity


The Attempt at a Solution



this may be very far from the real solution but this is what I've tried

integral{ (cx)^2 dx + (c/x)^2 dx}

1= integral { (c^2x^2) + (c^2/x^2) }

c^2 integral{ x^2 + x^-2 }

(x^3/3 - 1/x)*c^2=1

integral{ x^3/3 - 1/x }

im not quite sure where to go from here
 
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You need to split the integral into two parts, one for |x| in 0-1 nm, the other from |x| in 1 nm to infinity. Then add them.
 

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