Commutation relations of angular momentum with position, momentum.

[B L]

Homework Statement

Using the position space representation, prove that:
\left[L_i, x_j\right] = i\hbar\epsilon_{ijk}x_k.
Similarly for \left[L_i, p_j\right].

Homework Equations

Presumably, L_i = \epsilon_{ijk}x_jp_k.
\left[x_i, p_j\right] = i\hbar\delta_{ij}.

The Attempt at a Solution

\left[L_i, x_j\right] = \epsilon_{ijk}\left[x_jp_k, x_j\right]<br /> = \epsilon_{ijk}\left(x_jp_kx_j - x_jx_jp_k\right)<br /> = \epsilon_{ijk}x_j\left(p_kx_j - x_jp_k\right)<br /> = \epsilon_{ijk}x_j\left[p_k, x_j\right]<br /> = -i\hbar\epsilon_{ijk}x_j\delta_{jk}
which is where I become confused - it seems to me that the right hand side is always zero (if the Kronecker delta is nonzero, the Levi-Civita symbol is zero, and vice-versa).

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[dextercioby]

You should respect the laws of tensor algebra. Don't use the same index 3 times in a tensor product.

So [L_i,x_j]=\epsilon_{ikl}[x_k p_l, x_j] = ...

 

[dextercioby]

I can't edit my post ? Ok...

It's not true that epsilon times (in a tensor way) delta =0. This happens iff there's a double contracted tensor product among them.

 

[B L]

That's the thing: when I asked my TA, he said that we are not to assume the summation convention. That's the source of my confusion - I have no idea what this question even means without the summation convention.

(I'm literally the only person in the course who knows what a tensor is).

 

[dextercioby]

You need the summation convention and know a little about cartesian vectors/tensors, if you're approaching the identity/equality from the all-components-at-the-same-time perspective