KWhat conditions must a wavefunction satisfy for all values of x?

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A well-behaved wavefunction (φ) in quantum mechanics must satisfy specific conditions for all values of x. It must be continuous and finite everywhere, and its first derivative must also be continuous and finite. These conditions ensure that the modulus squared of the wavefunction represents a valid probability distribution, preventing abrupt changes in probability density at any point. The physical justification for these constraints is rooted in the principles of quantum mechanics, particularly concerning the relationship between wavefunctions and momentum.

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r-dizzel
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hey all!
does anyone know the conditions a well behaved wavefunction (phi) must satisfy for all x? and any physical justifications for them?

is it something to do with continuity at boundaries? or to do with the differential of the wavefunction?

cheers for any input

roc
 
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r-dizzel said:
hey all!
does anyone know the conditions a well behaved wavefunction (phi) must satisfy for all x? and any physical justifications for them?

is it something to do with continuity at boundaries? or to do with the differential of the wavefunction?

cheers for any input

roc

In QM a well behaved function is generally a function that is continuous and finite everywhere, and whose first derivative is continuous and finite everywhere also.
 
cheers for the help gents!
 
as far as the physical justification for the constraints, are there any?
 
cristo said:
In QM a well behaved function is generally a function that is continuous and finite everywhere, and whose first derivative is continuous and finite everywhere also.

agreed... well defined,,


anything else?
 
Last edited:
r-dizzel said:
as far as the physical justification for the constraints, are there any?


A wave function blowing up at infinity isn't really a good thing is it?
 
say_physics04 said:
agreed... well defined,,


anything else?

Erm... I'm not sure I know what you're getting at!
 
r-dizzel said:
as far as the physical justification for the constraints, are there any?

The modulus squared of the wave function is a probability distribution. Is there any physical reason to say that at the point x = 0 + \epsilon there's one probability density, and then at x = 0 - \epsilon it's wildly different?

Also, the continuous first derivative rule comes from a similar notion with regards to the momentum. I'll leave it to you to figure that one out.
 

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