Confusion about position operator in QM

In summary, the position operator in quantum mechanics is expected to be bounded, but there are cases where it is not possible to find a bound for the operator.
  • #1
ShayanJ
Insights Author
Gold Member
2,810
604
In quantum mechanics, the position operator(for a single particle moving in one dimension) is defined as [itex] Q(\psi)(x)=x\psi(x) [/itex], with the domain [itex] D(Q)=\{\psi \epsilon L^2(\mathbb R) | Q\psi\epsilon L^2 (\mathbb R) \} [/itex]. But this means no square-integrable function in the domain becomes non-square-integrable after being acted by this operator which, in turn, means there exist no function in the domain for which you can't have a M that satisfies [itex] ||Q \psi|| \leq M ||\psi|| [/itex] and so this operator should be bounded. But people say its not bounded!
I'm really confused. What's the point here?
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The point is that there needs to be an ##M## such that this inequality holds for all ##\psi##. However, for the position operator, you can easily check that there cannot be such an ##M##, for example by picking a sequence ##\psi_n## of normed, centered Gaussians with increasing standard deviation ##\sigma_n = n## (since ##\lVert Q\psi_n\rVert = \sigma^2##, so you would need an ##M## such that ##\forall n\in\mathbb N:M \geq n^2##, which doesn't exist).
 

1. What is the position operator in quantum mechanics?

The position operator in quantum mechanics is a mathematical representation of the position of a particle in space. It is denoted by the symbol ω or ψ, and it is used to describe the position of a particle in terms of its wave function.

2. How is the position operator related to the wave function?

The position operator acts on the wave function to give the position of a particle in space. Mathematically, it is represented as ωψ, where ψ is the wave function. The result of this operation is a complex number, which represents the probability amplitude of finding the particle at a particular position.

3. Can the position operator be measured in quantum mechanics?

Yes, the position operator can be measured in quantum mechanics. However, according to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, it is not possible to know both the position and momentum of a particle simultaneously with complete accuracy. Therefore, the measurement of the position operator will always have some degree of uncertainty.

4. How does the position operator differ from classical mechanics?

In classical mechanics, the position of a particle is described using a precise coordinate system, while in quantum mechanics, the position of a particle is described using a wave function. The position operator in quantum mechanics is also different from the concept of position in classical mechanics, as it involves a probabilistic interpretation.

5. What are the applications of the position operator in quantum mechanics?

The position operator is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics and is used to describe the behavior of particles at the microscopic level. It is essential in understanding the behavior of atoms and molecules, and it is also used in the development of quantum computing and other advanced technologies.

Similar threads

  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
31
Views
2K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Differential Geometry
Replies
10
Views
708
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
61
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
391
Back
Top