QM: commutator 2D particle magnetic field

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the cancellation of terms in a commutator related to a charged particle's motion in a magnetic field. The equation presented involves derivatives of vector potential components, A_x and A_y, and their interaction with a wave function, ψ(x). The cancellation of the first and fourth terms is attributed to the properties of circular motion in a magnetic field. A specific example illustrates how the derivative of the product A_x and ψ(x) leads to simplifications that clarify the overall equation. Understanding these cancellations is essential for grasping the behavior of particles in magnetic fields within quantum mechanics.
zhaos
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Homework Statement


I was reading this textbook:
https://books.google.com/books?id=s...10#v=onepage&q=orbit center operators&f=false

Homework Equations


In the equation of the page (unlabeled), we have
$$
\left[A_x\frac{\partial}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial}{\partial y}A_x + \frac{\partial}{\partial x}A_y - A_y\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\right]\psi(x)\\
= \left[- \frac{\partial A_x}{\partial y}+ \frac{\partial A_y}{\partial x}\right]\psi(x)
$$

The Attempt at a Solution


Why do the first and fourth terms cancel out? Is it to do with the circular motion of the charged particle in the magnetic field?
 
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For example, for the second term in the first line of your equation
$$
- \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(A_x \psi(x)) = - A_x \frac{\partial \psi(x)}{\partial y} - \psi(x)\frac{\partial A_x}{\partial y}
$$
The first term of the right hand side in the above equation will cancel with the first term in
zhaos said:
$$
\left[A_x\frac{\partial}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial}{\partial y}A_x + \frac{\partial}{\partial x}A_y - A_y\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\right]\psi(x)
$$
 
Oh. That makes it clear. Thank you.
 
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