How do we solve for equation 1.8.7 on page 33 of Shankar's QM 2nd Edition?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of equation 1.8.7 from Shankar's "Quantum Mechanics" 2nd Edition, specifically focusing on the expression involving the operator Ω, the identity operator I, and a vector V. Participants explore various approaches to manipulate the equation and clarify the roles of different components in the expression.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests decomposing the vector V into a linear combination of basis vectors and evaluating the inner product using the orthogonality of the basis.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about how to handle the identity operator in the equation.
  • A participant provides a detailed manipulation of the equation, showing how to express the inner product in terms of the matrix elements of Ω.
  • Questions arise regarding the justification for omitting the identity operator and the correct placement of bras and kets in the expressions.
  • Clarifications are made about the implications of the identity operator and the proper handling of vector spaces in the context of the equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of agreement and disagreement, particularly regarding the treatment of the identity operator and the manipulation of the equation. There is no consensus on the best approach to proceed with the derivation.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the identity operator's role is not clearly defined, and there are unresolved questions about the mathematical steps involved in the manipulation of the equation.

bugatti79
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Hi Folks,

How do we arrive at equation 1.8.7 page 33.

We have ##<i|\Omega-\omega I|V>=0##, given ##I=\Sigma_{j=1}|i><i|## we can write

##<i|\Omega-\omega \Sigma_{j=1}|i><i||V>=0##

not sure how to proceed from here...
 
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You can decompose
bugatti79 said:
Hi Folks,

How do we arrive at equation 1.8.7 page 33.

We have ##<i|\Omega-\omega I|V>=0##, given ##I=\Sigma_{j=1}|i><i|## we can write

##<i|\Omega-\omega \Sigma_{j=1}|i><i||V>=0##

not sure how to proceed from here...

You can write your vector V as a linear combination of the basis vectors

##|V>=Sigmavj|j>##

and then using the fact that the basis vector are orthogonal with each other you can evaluate the bracket, taking into account that ωij are the matrix element of Ω in the |i> basis (<i|Ω|j>=ωij)
 
Last edited:
I can get as far as

##<I| \Omega - \omega \Sigma_{I} |I><I| \Sigma_{j} v_{j} |j>=0##

##\Sigma_{j} \Omega - \omega \Sigma_{I} |I><I| v_{j} \delta_{ij}=0##

How is the identity dealt with?
 
Don't put the identity in the first place, and remember that <i|Ω|j>=Ωij (eq 1.6.1) (I wrote it wrong in my last post)
 
I do not follow regarding the identity. I do not know how to remove it. Can u clarify?
 
I could show you the whole process but I don't know how to type it.
 
Ok here it is

##\left\langle i\right|\Omega-\omega\left|v\right\rangle = \left\langle i\right|\Omega-\omega(\sum_{j}v_{j}\left|j\right\rangle )##
## = \sum_{j}v_{j}\left\langle i\right|\Omega\left|j\right\rangle -\omega\sum_{j}v_{j}\left\langle i\right.\left|j\right\rangle ##
## =\sum_{j}v_{j} \Omega_{ij}-\omega\sum_{j}v_{j}\delta_{ij}##
## = \sum_{j}v_{j}(\Omega_{ij}-v_{j}\delta_{ij})##
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your efforts, just some questions:

1) How do you justify omitting the identity I?
Are you treating this equal to 1 because the action of the identity operator on a ket is just the same ket?
Additionally, Shankar specifically instructed to apply the identity operator to the left of |V>

2) How did you arrive with a 2nd bra <i| on the second line? There is only one.

regards
 
1) Yeah, the identity is implied, it action of a ket and a bra is to leave it as they are. (reading Shankar I don't know why one would introduce the representation of the identity though)

2)Well, the actual equation is
##\left\langle i\right|(\Omega-\omega\left)|v\right\rangle=0 ##

Look at 1.8.3 and multiply by the left by the i bra.
 
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To clarify, You can't really have

##(\left\langle i\right|\Omega)-(\omega\left|v\right\rangle) ##

because that would be adding a bra to a ket and you can't do that since they belong to different vector spaces.
 
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