Angular Momentum Operators

In summary, for the given eigenstate |l,m> of L^2 and Lz, the expectation values of Lx^2 and Ly^2 are both equal to 1/2*[l(l+1)-m^2]hbar^2. Additionally, the uncertainties for Lx and Ly are both equal to the square root of 1/2*[l(l+1)-m^2]hbar^2. To solve this problem, one can use the commutator relationships and the fact that L^2 can be expressed as the sum of Lz^2, Lx^2, and Ly^2. There is also a symmetry between x and y that can be utilized to simplify the
  • #1
azone
7
0

Homework Statement


Show that for the eigenstate |l,m> of L^2 and Lz, the expectation values of Lx^2 and Ly^2 are <Lx^2>=<Ly^2>=1/2*[l(l+1)-m^2]hbar^2

and for uncertainties, show that deltaLx=deltaLy={1/2*[l(l+1)-m^2]hbar^2}^(0.5)

Homework Equations


eigenvalues of L^2 are l(l+1)hbar^@
eigenvalues of Lz are m*hbar


The Attempt at a Solution


I noticed that the expectation values are very closely related to the eigenvalues of L^2 and Lz. So I tried using commutator relationships to somehow get Lx^2 as a result.
[Lz,Lx^2] = ihbar(Lx*Ly+Ly*Lx)
[Lx,Ly^2] = -ihbar(Lx*Ly+Ly*Lx)
[L^2,Lx] = [L^2,Ly] = 0
but none of these seem to help at all...any suggestions on how to approach the problem?
 
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  • #2
Two hints for you azone:

1) [tex] L^2 = L_z^2+L_x^2 +L_y^2 [\tex]

2) There is symmetry between x and y
 

1. What is angular momentum in quantum mechanics?

Angular momentum in quantum mechanics is a physical quantity that describes the rotational motion of a particle or system. It is represented by the symbol "L" and is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction. In quantum mechanics, angular momentum is an operator that acts on the wave function of a particle.

2. What is the significance of angular momentum operators in quantum mechanics?

Angular momentum operators are essential in quantum mechanics as they represent the fundamental principles of rotational symmetry and conservation of angular momentum. They are used to describe the behavior and properties of particles in systems with rotational symmetry, such as atoms and molecules.

3. How are angular momentum operators represented mathematically?

In quantum mechanics, angular momentum operators are represented by the three-dimensional vector operators, Lx, Ly, and Lz, which correspond to the angular momentum along the x, y, and z axes, respectively. These operators are defined as the cross product of the position and momentum operators.

4. How do angular momentum operators affect the energy levels of a system?

Angular momentum operators play a crucial role in determining the energy levels of a system in quantum mechanics. The eigenvalues of the angular momentum operators correspond to the allowed values of angular momentum for a given system, and the total energy of the system is determined by the sum of the angular momentum and the potential energy.

5. Can angular momentum operators be measured in experiments?

Yes, angular momentum operators can be measured in experiments. The measurement of angular momentum is usually done through the measurement of angular momentum components along different axes. These measurements can be used to determine the total angular momentum and its direction, providing valuable information about the properties of the system being studied.

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