How Do You Solve the Harmonic Oscillator Commutator Problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the harmonic oscillator commutator problem, specifically involving the Hamiltonian operator and the position operator squared. Participants are tasked with showing a specific commutation relation involving these operators.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants present various attempts to compute the commutators, with some expressing uncertainty about the easiest method to approach the problem. Questions arise regarding the correctness of intermediate steps and the application of commutation relations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with multiple participants exploring different lines of reasoning and calculations. Some have provided partial results, while others question the validity of those results. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or outcome yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the problem statement and the established commutation relations, particularly noting the relationship between position and momentum operators. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the calculations involved.

LagrangeEuler
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Homework Statement


## H=\frac{p^2}{2m}+\frac{1}{2}m\omega^2x^2##
Show that
##[H,[H,x^2]]=(2\hbar\omega)^2x^2-\frac{4\hbar^2}{m}H##


Homework Equations


##[x,p]=i\hbar##


The Attempt at a Solution


I get
##[H,x^2]=-\frac{i\hbar}{m}(px+xp)##
what is easiest way to solve this problem?
 
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Show your work.
 
##[H,x^2]=[\frac{p^2}{2m},x^2]=\frac{1}{2m}[p^2,x^2]=p[p,x^2]+[p,x^2]p##
##[p,x^2]=-2i\hbar x##
from that
##[H,x^2]=-2i\hbar px-2i\hbar xp##
from that
##[H,[H,x^2]]=p[\frac{p^2}{2m},-2i\hbar x]+[\frac{p^2}{2m},-2i\hbar x]p+p[\frac{1}{2}m\omega^2x^2,-2i\hbar x]+[\frac{1}{2}m\omega^2x^2,-2i\hbar p]x##
from that
##[H,[H,x^2]]=-4p^2\frac{\hbar^2}{m}-4m\omega^2i\hbar x##
you don't get this result.
 
Last edited:
First part is same. But its to hard. I tried
[H,[H,x^2]]=[H,Hx^2-x^2H]=H[H,x^2]-[H,x^2]H=H(-2i\hbar)x+2i\hbar xH
 
I solve it.
 
Last edited:

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