Normalizing psi in harmonic oscillator

AI Thread Summary
To determine if the wave function PSI is normalized, one must calculate the integral of the squared coefficients, |C1|^2 + |C2|^2. Even if phi1 and phi2 are normalized eigenstates, the overall wave function may not be normalized unless this condition equals one. The user is advised to perform this calculation to confirm normalization. If the result is not equal to one, normalization will be necessary. Normalizing the wave function ensures it adheres to the principles of quantum mechanics.
3uc1id
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
My question is pretty easy (i think). I have a wavefcn PSI defined at t=0. The PSI is a mix of several eigenstates. Let's say PHI(x,0)=C1phi1 + C2 phi3. Now C1 and C2 are given to me, so I am wondering is this wavefcn. already normalized, or do i have to normalize it despite definite C1 and C2 already being given?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Since phi1 and phi2 are eigenstates they should be normalized already. I suggest you take the integral with C1 and C2 plugged in and see if it yields one. In other words show that |C_1|^2+|C_2|^2=1.
 
thank you.
 
Thread 'Help with Time-Independent Perturbation Theory "Good" States Proof'
(Disclaimer: this is not a HW question. I am self-studying, and this felt like the type of question I've seen in this forum. If there is somewhere better for me to share this doubt, please let me know and I'll transfer it right away.) I am currently reviewing Chapter 7 of Introduction to QM by Griffiths. I have been stuck for an hour or so trying to understand the last paragraph of this proof (pls check the attached file). It claims that we can express Ψ_{γ}(0) as a linear combination of...
Back
Top