B Can the probabilities of state vectors |r⟩ and |i⟩ be determined from |ψ⟩?

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The discussion centers on whether the probabilities of state vectors |r⟩ and |i⟩ can be determined from a given state vector |ψ⟩ = α|u⟩ + β|d⟩. It is established that |r⟩, |l⟩, |i⟩, and |o⟩ can be expressed in terms of |u⟩ and |d⟩. The probabilities of these states can be calculated if the corresponding observables are defined, particularly when the operators associated with these states commute. However, if the operators do not commute, only one observable can be measured at a time. Thus, while probabilities can be derived, the measurement limitations must be acknowledged.
hongseok
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∣r⟩,∣l⟩,∣i⟩, and ∣o⟩ can all be expressed as expressions for ∣u⟩ and ∣d⟩. So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.
∣r⟩,∣l⟩,∣i⟩, and ∣o⟩ can all be expressed as expressions for ∣u⟩ and ∣d⟩. So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.
 
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hongseok said:
So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.
You haven't said what any if any observable corresponds to any of these vectors, so all we can give you is the general answer:
If we can write $$|\psi\rangle=\alpha_1|A_1\rangle+\alpha_2|A_2\rangle=\beta_1|B_1\rangle+\beta_2|B_2\rangle$$ where ##|A_1\rangle## and ##|A_2\rangle## are orthogonal eigenvectors of the Hermitian operator ##\hat{A}## and likewise for ##|B_1\rangle## and ##|B_2\rangle## and the observable ##\hat{B}## then ...

Yes, we know the probability of getting any of these four possible results if we were to perform the measurement. The catch is that if ##\hat{A}## and ##\hat{B}## do not commute we only get to measure one of them.
 
hongseok said:
TL;DR Summary: ∣r⟩,∣l⟩,∣i⟩, and ∣o⟩ can all be expressed as expressions for ∣u⟩ and ∣d⟩. So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.

∣r⟩,∣l⟩,∣i⟩, and ∣o⟩ can all be expressed as expressions for ∣u⟩ and ∣d⟩. So, given the state vector ∣ψ⟩ = α∣u⟩ + β∣d⟩, is it possible to know not only the probability of ∣u⟩ but also the probability of ∣r⟩ and ∣i⟩? ∣ψ⟩ can be expressed as an expression for ∣r⟩, ∣l⟩ or ∣i⟩, ∣o⟩.
The probability that the state is |r> in observation is
|<r|\psi>|^2=|\alpha<r|u>+\beta<r|d>|^2
in condition that all these bras and kets are normalized.
 
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