Proving Ehrenfest's Theorem: Diff. vs. Partial Diff.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the mathematical proof of Ehrenfest's Theorem, specifically the transition from the exact differential \(\frac{d}{dt}\) to the partial differential \(\frac{\partial}{\partial t} <\psi|O|\psi>\). Participants clarify that this transition assumes \(\frac{dx}{dt}=0\), indicating that the state vector \(|\psi(t)>\) and the operator \(O\) are solely functions of time in an abstract state space. The proof utilizes the relationship between the derivatives to establish the theorem's validity.

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In proving the Ehrenfest Theorem
This is the typical first line:

[tex]\frac{d }{dt}<O> = \frac{\partial}{\partial t} <\psi|O|\psi> = <\dot{\psi}|O|\psi> + <\psi|O|\dot{\psi}>+<\psi|\dot{O}|\psi> [/tex]

My question is how can the exact differential
[tex]\frac{d }{dt}<O>[/tex]
be changed the partial differential
[tex]\frac{\partial}{\partial t} <\psi|O|\psi>[/tex]
in the first equality. would it not be
[tex]\frac{d }{dt}<O>=\frac{\partial}{\partial x} <\psi|O|\psi> \frac{dx}{dt}+\frac{\partial}{\partial t} <\psi|O|\psi>[/tex]

Have we assumed that [tex]\frac{dx}{dt}=0[/tex]
If so why?
 
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I think that if we are working in abstrac state space the only variable is time since [itex]|\psi(t)>[/itex] is only function of time as well as the operator
 
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