Meaning of operators for observables.

[alexepascual]

SlyBoy and Turin:
Thanks for your posts. I can't say anything right now because I have to think about it. I prited it out and I'll study the subject tonight.

 

[alexepascual]

Hi guys,
After this long silence, I wanted to let you know that I have been thinking about the issues discussed in this thread and I have learned a good deal, but I have not gotten to the point I feel I have an answer to my original question. I have some ideas, but I am not sure.
I want to thank you all, your posts have helped me a lot, and have made my search for understanding less lonely. (I can't talk to my wife about QM)
Anyway, this thread is getting kind of long. I am planning on starting at least two new threads on more specific questions I ran into while trying to understand the meaning of operators:

Thread: Understanding the commutator.

Thread: The momentum operator as the generator of translations

So I'll consider this thread practically closed, unless you are a new visitor to the thread who feels there is more to be said. Otherwise, I invite you to my two new threads.