Understanding Normalized Equations in Wave Function Analysis

[Tyst]

Hey guys,
A researcher at my uni has given me a problem which is... rather beyond my poor little first year brain, so I've been doing a whole lot of research and these "normalised" eqations keep popping up, along with people saying they 'won't normalise the eqation' or 'once you've normalised the eqation' etc... (in reference to wave functions if that's relevant). Could someone please enlighten me as to what normalising an equation involves?

I may post the actual problem here a bit later, once i have more of an idea of what I'm doing!

Thanks in advance

-Tyst

 

[Doc Al]

A wavefunction is normalized if the integral of its complex square (over the range of variables) equals 1. Since, in quantum mechanics, the complex square of a wavefunction is interpreted as a probability density, this should make some sense. Read this: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/quantum/qm.html#c5

 

[Tyst]

ah wicked! thanks Doc :)