Quantum mechanics and expectation values.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculation of expectation values in quantum mechanics, specifically the formula =∫Ψ*xΨ. It is established that if the wave function Ψ is odd, then the integrand becomes odd, leading to an expectation value of zero. Conversely, if Ψ is even, the integrand remains odd, resulting in the same outcome. The conclusion is that regardless of the parity of the wave function, the expectation value will be zero if the integrand is odd.

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Rabbot
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I have a question about expectation values in quantum mechanics.

Since calculating <x>=[itex]\int\Psi*x\Psi[/itex] does x always make this functions odd? If [itex]\Psi[/itex] is odd then [itex]\Psi*[/itex] I would assume is odd as well and then <x> would be odd*odd*odd, if [itex]\Psi[/itex] is even then I again assume it would be even*odd*even. Does an odd function make the whole function odd regardless of the two even functions?
 
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Yup, if the wave function is even or odd, the integrand will be odd, so the expectation value will be 0.
 

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