Solving for Cn to get wave function

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving for the constant Cn in the context of wave functions, specifically for an infinite square well scenario. The integral presented for Cn includes terms involving the wave functions ψ1(x) and ψ2(x), but lacks explicit forms for these functions, making it impossible to solve without additional information. Participants emphasize the necessity of integrating by parts and suggest that the original problem statement should be provided for clarity. Additionally, the use of LaTeX is recommended for clear mathematical representation.

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I need to solve Cn for a wave function, and have reached the following integral:

Cn = -[√(1/a)](a/nπ)[cos(nπx/a)(ψ1(x)+ψ2(x))+∫cos(u)(dψ1(x)/dx)dx+∫cos(u)(dψ2(x)/dx)dx]This is a simplified version of the original equation, for
elaboration Cn is the constant for linear combinations of a wave function. This is also strictly for a infinite stairwell wave function. I need help solving this.
 
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Cn = -[√(1/a)](a/nπ)[cos(nπx/a)(ψ1(x)+ψ2(x))+∫cos(u)(dψ1(x)/dx)dx+∫cos(u)(dψ2(x)/dx)dx]
Lets see if I can tidy that up:
##c_n = -\left[\frac{1}{\sqrt{a}}\frac{a}{n\pi} (\psi_1(x)+\psi_2(x))\cos n\pi x/a + \int \cos u \frac{d}{dx}\psi_1(x)\; dx + \int\cos u \frac{d}{dx}\psi_2(x) \; dx \right]##
... that cannot be correct (unless ##c_n## is a function of x): have you missed out an integral sign there?
... when you change variable, you need to express the whole integral in terms of the same variable.
... you cannot solve the integrals given without an explicit form for ##\psi_1## and ##\psi_2## ... or some indication of what they are supposed to be;
... when presenting a problem, please show us the original problem statement. It looks like you already have a linear combination of wavefunctions, so it is unclear what this ##c_n## is supposed to do. I have a feeling you are going about your task the wrong way.

I mean; I can see terms that look like ##\phi_n = A\cos n\pi x/a##
... which, for n=1,3,5... and ##A=\sqrt{\frac{2}{a}}##, are energy eigenfunctions for an infinite square well, width ##a##, centered on the origin. Maybe you used ##\phi = A\sin n\pi x/a## and what I see is the result of an attempt at integration by parts?

You often need to integrate by parts twice to get something useful.
Note: ##\frac{d^2}{dx^2}\psi_n = -\frac{2m}{\hbar^2}\big(E_n - V(x)\big)\psi_n## because Schrödinger.

Note: to do QM, you really really need LaTeX.
 
Last edited:

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