# Commutation relation using Levi-Civita symbol

1. Feb 24, 2017

### davon806

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Hi,I have got a question as follow:
Compute the commutation relations of the position operator R and the angular momentum L.Deduce the commutation relations of R^2 with the angular momentum L

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
In fact I have got the solutions to this problem.I am having trouble for the 2nd part of the question.
In the red box of the image,why did the terms cancel out?Since position vector is commutative I expect they should add up?

Thanks!

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2. Feb 24, 2017

### TSny

You are correct that the two terms in the first line of the red box are equal. Try to show that each term separately equals zero.

3. Feb 26, 2017

### davon806

But if k =/= l ,then the first term becomes i(h bar) (x1x2 + x2x1+x3x2+x2x3 + x3x1 + x1x3)?

4. Feb 26, 2017

### TSny

Note that $j$ is some fixed value.

Take the specific case where $j = 1$. Then what does the first term become when you sum over $k$ and $l$?

5. Feb 27, 2017

### davon806

So if j =1,then we can either have k = 2,l = 3 or k = 3,l = 2.Hence the nonzero possibility of epsilon becomes e(132) or e(123)
i(h bar)(x2x3 - x3x2) =0 ?

6. Feb 27, 2017

### TSny

Yes, that's correct.