Commutation relation of operators involving momentum and position

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the commutation relation between two operators related to momentum and position. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their calculations, suggesting that their results indicate the operators might commute, which contradicts the expected outcome.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to analyze the operators and their interactions, questioning where their reasoning may have gone awry. Some participants suggest leaving the operators in their symbolic form rather than substituting them, while others caution about the non-commuting nature of the operators.

Discussion Status

Contextual Notes

There is an indication that previous problems provide necessary equations, and the original poster is working within the constraints of homework rules that may limit their approach.

Kooshy
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The problem is number 11, the problem statement would be in the first picture in the spoiler.
Basically, I'm trying to find if two operators commute. They're not supposed to, since they involve momentum and position, but my work has been suggesting otherwise, so I'm doing something wrong.

Homework Equations


Are in problem 10 and written next to it. (2nd picture in spoiler.)
x^ = x
p^ = -iħ d/dx

P^= p^/√(mωλ)
Q^=x^ * (√(mω/ħ))


The Attempt at a Solution


Also in the picture.
I think I'm messing up where the operators operate on each other and new terms are created, and I'm not sure where or how to fix it.

2011-09-30161342.jpg

2011-09-30161246.jpg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In (10) you have already proved that [P,Q] = -i[itex]\sqrt{hbar/\lambda}[/itex]
Now re (11), do not substitute for the operators P and Q but leave them as P and Q. Hence the resulting expression will be in terms of P and Q. Then use [P,Q] = -i[itex]\sqrt{hbar/\lambda}[/itex]
 
But be very careful since P and Q do not commute!
 
Thank you grzz, that worked out much easier than what I was trying.
:smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K