Quantization Postulates for a Particle

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the quantization postulates for a particle, specifically examining the operators related to position and momentum in quantum mechanics. The original poster seeks to demonstrate that two specific operator expressions differ only by terms of order ℏ².

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correctness of the original poster's approach, questioning the assumptions regarding the commutation of position and momentum operators. There is mention of expanding terms to analyze differences and clarifications about the nature of the operators involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback and suggestions for clarification. Some guidance has been offered regarding the expansion of terms and the distinction between classical observables and quantum operators, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the classification of operators as classical or quantum, and the potential miscommunication about which terms are being referenced in the discussion. The original poster's attachment is noted but not elaborated upon.

kilojoules
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Show that the operators x^2 p_x^2+p_x^2 x^2 and 〖 (xp_x+p_x x)〗^2/2 differ only by terms of order ℏ^2.






The attempt at a solution is attached (Postulates.pdf)
 

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I don't know what you are trying to do in your solution ,you should explain it better. The first line equality is not correct,keep in mind that x,p momentum do not commute. I suggest expanding the second term first and see how it differs from the first.
 
I first found the quantum mechanical operator corresponding to the classical quantities xP_x, and according to the information I found on a downloaded file ("Dry2ans.pdf"), can't remember the source, I found that:
xP_x → xP_x + P_x x

As per your suggestion, bp_psy, I don't know which second term you are talking about. Is it of the first expansion or which one?
 
You initial post does not say that x,[itex]p_x[/itex] are classical observables but operators.Which one is it?
The classical observable [itex]xp_x[/itex] is represented by hermitian operator [itex]\hat{x}\hat{p}_{x}+\hat{p}_{x} \hat{x}[/itex] as they say in that document but the operator [itex]\hat{x}\hat{p}_{x}[/itex] is very different from [itex]\hat{x}\hat{p}_{x}+\hat{p}_{x}\hat{x}[/itex]. Sometime people do not hat their operators so you shouldn't always assume that no hats mean classical observables.
What I meant by the second term is [itex]\frac{(\hat{x}\hat{p}_{x}+\hat{p}_{x}\hat{x})^2}{2}[/itex].
 

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