Problem during finding <x> in p space

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the variable in momentum (P) space, specifically through the use of integrals and the properties of operators in quantum mechanics. Participants explore the mathematical steps involved in the integration process and the implications of the momentum operator being Hermitian.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the appearance of a minus sign in the integral and questions the validity of changing the order of terms involving the momentum operator and the wave function due to the derivative.
  • Another participant suggests that integration by parts may be relevant to solving the integral.
  • A different participant notes that the Hermitian nature of the momentum operator is crucial to understanding the problem.
  • A later reply indicates that the initial confusion was resolved by recognizing the importance of integration by parts and the Hermitian property of the momentum operator.
  • One participant introduces the assumption that wave functions decrease at infinity slower than any polynomial, allowing for the use of partial integration in the context of improper integrals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial confusion regarding the integral, but there is agreement on the relevance of integration by parts and the Hermitian property of the momentum operator. Multiple perspectives on the assumptions regarding wave functions are presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about wave functions and their behavior at infinity, as well as the implications of using partial integration in the context of improper integrals. The mathematical steps involved in the integration process remain unresolved.

Shell_E
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Thank you advance for help!

So the problem is find <x> in P space.
The solution's logic is use formula:
upload_2016-10-18_9-35-45.png
The submit with
upload_2016-10-18_9-35-18.png
Then one will get the integral
upload_2016-10-18_9-36-33.png


by noticing that
upload_2016-10-18_9-36-48.png
, one can replace xeipx/ħ in the integral

so that
upload_2016-10-18_9-38-0.png


and then after solving the integral one can find the expectation value for x.

The part I don't understand is why
upload_2016-10-18_9-39-1.png
, firstly I am not sure where is the minus sign comes from. Next I don't think I can just change the order of eipx/ħ and Φ because the term d/dp.

Could anyone help me figure the integral out?

Thank you everybody.
Shell
 

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I think that integration by parts comes into this one.
 
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It comes about because momentum is a Hermitian operator: http://www.colby.edu/chemistry/PChem/notes/MomentumHermitian.pdf
 
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@Jilang @DrClaude Thank you for help! I mislead by the integral sign to think it gained by doing some rearrangement inside the integral. Everything become clear if I do integral by part and use the fact that momentum operator is hermitian. Thanks a lot!
 
The tacit assumption is that any wave function decreases at infinity slower than any polynomial, thus can be safely assumed to be a Schwartz test function. The Schwartz space is invariant under the Fourier transform and provides a domain of essential self-adjointness for the momentum operator over the entire real line.
Because of this explanation, you can use partial integration in the improper definite integral and discard the so-called "surface term" (a misnomer, because we're in 1D).
 
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