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ehrenfest
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Shankar 163
Show that for any normalized |psi>, <psi|H|psi> is greater than or equal to E_0, where E_0 is the lowest energy eigenvalue. (Hint: Expand |psi> in the eigenbasis of H.)
I think the question assumes the V = 0, so H = P^2/2m. The eigenvalues for the equation P^2/2m|p> = E|p> are then p = +/- (2mE)^(1/2) and the eigenkets are of the form | p = + (2mE)^(1/2)> and | p = (2mE)^(1/2)> (or in energy terms the eigenvalues are of the form |E,->, |E,+> and the eigenkets are the same as the momentum ones. I'm not really sure how you can expand anything with these though...
Homework Statement
Show that for any normalized |psi>, <psi|H|psi> is greater than or equal to E_0, where E_0 is the lowest energy eigenvalue. (Hint: Expand |psi> in the eigenbasis of H.)
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I think the question assumes the V = 0, so H = P^2/2m. The eigenvalues for the equation P^2/2m|p> = E|p> are then p = +/- (2mE)^(1/2) and the eigenkets are of the form | p = + (2mE)^(1/2)> and | p = (2mE)^(1/2)> (or in energy terms the eigenvalues are of the form |E,->, |E,+> and the eigenkets are the same as the momentum ones. I'm not really sure how you can expand anything with these though...