Calculating Expectation Value of Momentum with Fourier Transform

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the expectation value of momentum using the Fourier Transform of a wavefunction, denoted as \(\psi(p)\). The key formula derived is \(\langle \psi|P|\psi \rangle = \int dp \, p |\psi(p)|^2\), which integrates over momentum \(p\) rather than position \(x\). The transformation from position to momentum space is essential for evaluating the expectation value correctly, utilizing momentum eigenstates in the process. The discussion clarifies the necessity of this transformation for accurate momentum calculations.

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rwooduk
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we have a wavefunction \psi (x) the question asks for \psi (p) and says to use this to calculate the expectation value of momentum. The problem is the expectation value of momentum is integrated over dx so after transforming how do you get the integral to be over dp?

thanks for any help with this, I don't see the point in doing the transform if the integral is over dx, is there a different integral for the expectation value of momentum over dp?

ps the \psi (p) should have a tilda over it
 
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The expectation value is \langle \psi|P|\psi \rangle \\= \langle \psi |P|\int dp |p\rangle \langle p|\psi \rangle \\= \langle \psi| \int dp \psi(p) P|p \rangle \\= \langle \psi| \int dp \psi(p)p |p\rangle \\= \int dp \psi(p) p \langle \psi| p \rangle \\= \int dp p |\psi(p)|^2 where in the second line I've inserted a complete set of momentum eigenstates.
 
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WannabeNewton said:
The expectation value is \langle \psi|P|\psi \rangle \\= \langle \psi |P|\int dp |p\rangle \langle p|\psi \rangle \\= \langle \psi| \int dp \psi(p) P|p \rangle \\= \langle \psi| \int dp \psi(p)p |p\rangle \\= \int dp \psi(p) p \langle \psi| p \rangle \\= \int dp p |\psi(p)|^2 where in the second line I've inserted a complete set of momentum eigenstates.

That helps greatly, thanks!
 

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