- #1
Arijun
- 21
- 1
If we have a hermitian operator Q and we know it's matrix representation [Q], does that mean that [Q2] = [Q]2?
For example, I'm pretty sure that's the case for p2 for a harmonic oscillator. We have p=ic(a+-a-) and so
p2=c2(a+-a-)(-a++a-)*=c2(a+-a-)(a+-a-)=p p
Which tells us that [p2]=[p]2. But could we do that with any hermitian operator?
For example, I'm pretty sure that's the case for p2 for a harmonic oscillator. We have p=ic(a+-a-) and so
p2=c2(a+-a-)(-a++a-)*=c2(a+-a-)(a+-a-)=p p
Which tells us that [p2]=[p]2. But could we do that with any hermitian operator?