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The requirement on a wave function is not that it has to be finite but that it has to be finite when integrated over all of space, although the first usually follows from the second (there are exceptions).

This is because integrating a wave function over a region of space gives a measure of finding the particle (or whatever the wave function describes) in that region of space.

Now, one would reasonably expect that if one would integrate over all of space one would find a finite answer. This is because the chance to find the particle somewhere should be 100%. If the integral is infinite this means the chances of finding the particle are also infinite, which is not a sensible concept in chance theory.

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Q: Why does a wave function has to be finite?
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What is well behaved wave function?

List of the characteristics a well-behaved wave function are ..The function must be single-valued; i.e. at any point in space, the function must have only one numerical value.The function must be finite and continuous at all points in space. The first and second derivatives of the function must be finite and continuous.The function must have a finite integral over all space.


Why should wave function be single valued and finite?

Type your answer here... the wave function associated with the particle , and it is must be single valued of position and time , when two values are found that means the particle exists in two different places , which is impossible yet


What is the role of an observer in wave function collapse?

The question itself is controversial, as we're not sure if the observer has anything to do with the wave collapse. However, once the ability to observe (or interact) with a given particle is enabled, the wave-function or probability wave of that particle peaks, or collapses into a finite quantity. As said, we're not sure if a conscious observer has anything to do with it, or if it has to do with physical interactions in and of themselves. Another opinion: The observer has nothing to do with the collapse of the wave function. It is the measurement acting on the the wave function that does the collapsing. The part about which we are uncertain (we, as in physicists) is whether nature performs the measurement before we do and we get the result, or if nature leaves the wave function as a superposition until we measure it. This is the fundamental question of Schrodinger's cat in a box paradox.


How will you calculate potential if the wave function is given?

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What is normalising a wave function?

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Related questions

What is well behaved wave function?

List of the characteristics a well-behaved wave function are ..The function must be single-valued; i.e. at any point in space, the function must have only one numerical value.The function must be finite and continuous at all points in space. The first and second derivatives of the function must be finite and continuous.The function must have a finite integral over all space.


Is the infinite probability wave function a contradiction in terms?

No it is simply a nonsense. Wave functions describe finite probabilites.


Why should wave function be single valued and finite?

Type your answer here... the wave function associated with the particle , and it is must be single valued of position and time , when two values are found that means the particle exists in two different places , which is impossible yet


What is the role of an observer in wave function collapse?

The question itself is controversial, as we're not sure if the observer has anything to do with the wave collapse. However, once the ability to observe (or interact) with a given particle is enabled, the wave-function or probability wave of that particle peaks, or collapses into a finite quantity. As said, we're not sure if a conscious observer has anything to do with it, or if it has to do with physical interactions in and of themselves. Another opinion: The observer has nothing to do with the collapse of the wave function. It is the measurement acting on the the wave function that does the collapsing. The part about which we are uncertain (we, as in physicists) is whether nature performs the measurement before we do and we get the result, or if nature leaves the wave function as a superposition until we measure it. This is the fundamental question of Schrodinger's cat in a box paradox.


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