Calculating Expectation Value for z component of angular momentum

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To calculate the expectation value for the z component of angular momentum using the function sinx*e^(ix), the correct operator to use is the angular momentum operator, defined as \hat L_z = -i \hbar (x ∂/∂y - y ∂/∂x). The expectation value is determined by the integral <L_z> = ∫ ψ*(x) \hat L_z ψ(x) dx. Normalization of the wavefunction is necessary to ensure the denominator in the expectation value expression equals one. Proper application of these principles will yield the desired expectation value.
TLeo198
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Homework Statement


Calculate the expectation value for the z component of angular momentum (operator is (h/i)(d/dx)) for the function sinx*e^(ix).


Homework Equations


I think the only one relevant is the expectation value:
<a> = integral[psi*(a)psi] / integral[psi*psi] where psi* is the complex conjugate and a is the operator (in this case, the operator of the z component of angular momentum).


The Attempt at a Solution


I don't really know how to begin this one, but I assume that you have to find the <a> equation where <a> is the expectation value. In that case, do you just take the integral of psi*(a)psi over the integral of psi*psi? In this case, psi = sinx*e^(ix)
 
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TLeo198 said:
Calculate the expectation value for the z component of angular momentum (operator is (h/i)(d/dx)) for the function sinx*e^(ix).
The operator you wrote down is for momentum:

\hat p = \frac{\hbar}{i} \frac{\partial}{\partial x}

However, the angular momentum operator is different:

\hat L_z = -i \hbar \left (x \frac{\partial}{\partial y} - y \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \right )

I don't really know how to begin this one, but I assume that you have to find the <a> equation where <a> is the expectation value. In that case, do you just take the integral of psi*(a)psi over the integral of psi*psi? In this case, psi = sinx*e^(ix)
Yes. To be clear, you want to calculate the following:

&lt;L_z&gt; = \int \psi^*(x) \hat L_z \psi(x) dx

In order to use this definition, you will first have to normalize the wavefunction (so that the denominator in your expression is equal to 1)
 

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