Pauli's Wave Mechanics text. h vs. hbar

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the use of symbols for Planck's constant in Pauli's "Wave Mechanics," where the author uses "h" to denote the quantity 1.05 x 10^-34 joule.sec, traditionally represented as "\hbar." It confirms that "\hbar" should consistently represent Planck's constant divided by 2π in modern literature. The conversation highlights the potential confusion arising from different conventions in older and newer texts, particularly regarding the use of CGS electromagnetic units, which can introduce discrepancies due to factors of 2π.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics terminology
  • Familiarity with Planck's constant and its significance
  • Knowledge of SI and CGS unit systems
  • Basic grasp of wave mechanics principles
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between SI and CGS units in electromagnetic theory
  • Study the implications of using "\hbar" in quantum mechanics
  • Examine historical texts on wave mechanics for variations in constant usage
  • Learn about the significance of factors of 2π in physics equations
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the nuances of scientific notation and constants in wave mechanics.

Peeter
Messages
303
Reaction score
3
In this little Dover book "Wave mechanics", by Pauli, it appears to use h for hbar, and includes a footnote right on the very first page

"1. In these lectures we use the symbol h to denote the quantity 1.05 x 10^-34 joule.sec. In the older literature this quantity was usually denoted by [itex]\hbar[/itex]"

However, this is what I've seen in the newer literature too. Are the definitions of these constants in a state of flux?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No, [tex]\hbar[/tex] should always represent Planck's constant divided by 2 pi in modern text.
I don't think I've ever encountered an example where someone has specifically used [tex]h[/tex] instead of [tex]\hbar[/tex] or vice versa. There are, however, examples of texts where the author is ex. ignoring factors of 2pi etc simply because they are interested in order-of-magnitude estimates and factors of the order of one does one matter.

Also, note that formulas where CGS electromagnetic units are used often differ by a factor of 2pi compared to the equivalent formulas in SI (and there are plenty of examples of papers where the authors have added/removed a 2pi too many).
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
6K
Replies
26
Views
19K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K