- #1
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Hi guys,
This is a problem which is bothering me right now. The angular momentum operators (Lx, Ly, Lz), when expressed in spatial rotations consists of derivatives in [tex]\theta[/tex] and [tex]\phi[/tex]. This would suggest that there are, at any point in space, only two linearly independent operators (since there are derivatives in only two directions).
When we talk about spin 1/2, which is still a type of angular momentum, we often represent the spin angular momentum operators (Sx, Sy, Sz) in terms of Pauli matrices which are three linearly independent matrices.
Maybe I'm just being dense, but why the disparity in the dimensionality of angular momenta?
When I think about it, it's often stated "angular momenta are the 'generators' of rotations". In which case, you'd think there would be 3 operators since the space of rotations in 3-dimensional space is of dimension 3 (e.g. given by the three Euler angles).
Also just thinking about describing angular momenta, you'd think there would be 3 numbers necessary (e.g. 2 numbers specifying the axis of rotation, and 1 number specifying the rate of rotation).
I'm getting really confused. =[
This is a problem which is bothering me right now. The angular momentum operators (Lx, Ly, Lz), when expressed in spatial rotations consists of derivatives in [tex]\theta[/tex] and [tex]\phi[/tex]. This would suggest that there are, at any point in space, only two linearly independent operators (since there are derivatives in only two directions).
When we talk about spin 1/2, which is still a type of angular momentum, we often represent the spin angular momentum operators (Sx, Sy, Sz) in terms of Pauli matrices which are three linearly independent matrices.
Maybe I'm just being dense, but why the disparity in the dimensionality of angular momenta?
When I think about it, it's often stated "angular momenta are the 'generators' of rotations". In which case, you'd think there would be 3 operators since the space of rotations in 3-dimensional space is of dimension 3 (e.g. given by the three Euler angles).
Also just thinking about describing angular momenta, you'd think there would be 3 numbers necessary (e.g. 2 numbers specifying the axis of rotation, and 1 number specifying the rate of rotation).
I'm getting really confused. =[