[QM] Conservation probability to degenerate eigenvalues

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conservation of probability in quantum mechanics, specifically in the context of degenerate eigenvalues of observables that commute with the Hamiltonian. Participants explore whether the conservation of probability holds in cases where the eigenvalues are degenerate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the conservation of probability applies when the eigenvalues of an observable are degenerate, providing a mathematical formulation to support their inquiry.
  • Another participant asks for clarification or further information regarding the original post, indicating a lack of responses and suggesting a need for rewording.
  • A separate participant inquires about the conservation of the angular momentum eigenvalue in the context of the hydrogen atom's bound state evolution according to the Schrödinger equation.
  • One participant asserts that a general linear combination of eigenstates does not constitute an eigenstate, which may relate to the discussion on probability conservation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views, with no consensus reached on the implications of degeneracy for probability conservation or the nature of linear combinations of eigenstates.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the implications of degeneracy on probability conservation, and there are assumptions regarding the definitions of eigenstates and observables that remain unaddressed.

Saverio
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Hello =) I have a question regarding the conservation of probability in quantum mechanics.

We know that the probability of a measurement of a given observable, is preserved in time if the observable commutes with the Hamiltonian.
But this is also true if the value of the measurement rapresented by the eigenvalues is degenerate?

For example, if I have the observable ## \Omega ## which commutes with the Hamiltonian, and suppose that the system state is a linear combination of eigenstates of H and hence of ## \Omega ##, and I want to know the probability that a measurement give me a value of ## \omega_1 ## at any time

##P (\omega_1, t) = | <\omega_1 | Psi, t> | ^ 2 = | <\omega_1 | e ^ {- i / h H} | \Psi, 0> | ^ 2 = | e ^ {- i / h E_1} c_ {1, t = 0} |^ 2 = ##

##= e^ {i / h E_1} \tilde{c} _ {1, t = 0} e^ {- i / h E_1} c_ {1, t = 0} = \tilde {c} _ {1, t = 0 c_ {1}, t = 0} = P (\omega_1, t = 0) ##

but in the degenerate case that is the same thing?
 
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Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 
Is the angular momentum eigenvalue of the H-atom conserved in time when the H-atom's bound state evolves according to SE ?
 
A general linear combination of eigenstates is itself not an eigenstate.
 

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