Quantum mechanics getting position operator from momentum

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of the position operator in the momentum representation within quantum mechanics. Participants explore the mathematical manipulations involving the momentum operator and its eigenstates, particularly focusing on the transformation of terms in the context of commutation relations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a source and presents an equation involving the commutation relation between position and momentum operators, expressing confusion about the transition from the term involving the momentum operator to one that only includes the momentum eigenvalue.
  • Another participant clarifies that the momentum eigenstate ##|p\rangle## satisfies the eigenvalue equation for the momentum operator, indicating that the momentum value ##p## corresponds to the state ##|p\rangle##.
  • A repeated assertion of the eigenvalue relationship is made, with a request for further clarification on its application in the original equation.
  • One participant suggests that the self-adjointness of the momentum operator allows for the manipulation of terms, leading to the conclusion that the momentum operator can be replaced by its eigenvalue in certain contexts.
  • There is a reiteration of the confusion regarding the presence of ##\hat p## and ##p## in the equations, with an explanation that the operator is replaced by its eigenvalue when moving it to the left side of the equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding regarding the mathematical transformations involved. While some clarify the properties of eigenstates and operators, there remains uncertainty about the logic behind specific manipulations and the implications of these transformations.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not fully resolve the underlying assumptions or the steps leading to the transformations discussed, leaving some mathematical reasoning and definitions open to interpretation.

mertcan
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hi, initially I want to put into words that I looked up the link (http://physics.stackexchange.com/qu...-the-momentum-representation-from-knowing-the), and I saw that $$\langle p|[\hat x,\hat p]|\psi \rangle = \langle p|\hat x\hat p|\psi \rangle - \langle p|\hat p\hat x|\psi \rangle = \langle p|\hat x\hat p|\psi \rangle - p\langle p|\hat x|\psi \rangle$$
But I can not understand how $$\langle p|\hat p,\hat x|\psi \rangle=p\langle p|\hat x|\psi \rangle$$ is possible.
why do we have $$p$$ and $$\hat p$$ in the former and just $$p$$ in the latter? What is the logic and proof of this kind of transformation? AND why do we lose the $$\hat p$$ term?
I am looking forward to your valuable responses...
 
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##|p\rangle## is an eigenstate of the momentum operator:
$$
\hat p | p \rangle = p | p \rangle
$$
where ##p## is the value of the momentum in state ##|p\rangle##.
 
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DrClaude said:
##|p\rangle## is an eigenstate of the momentum operator:
$$
\hat p | p \rangle = p | p \rangle
$$
where ##p## is the value of the momentum in state ##|p\rangle##.
I know that fact $$p$$ is eigenvalue and $$p\rangle$$ is eigenvector but still can not use this situation in the equation I have given...A little bit more help...
 
What's the goal of these manipulations? For the term in question you use the self-adjointness of the momentum operator to get
$$\langle p|\hat{p} \hat{x} \psi \rangle=\langle \hat{p} p|\hat{x} \psi \rangle=p \langle p|\hat{x} \psi \rangle.$$
 
mertcan said:
why do we have $$p$$ and $$\hat p$$ in the former and just $$p$$ in the latter? What is the logic and proof of this kind of transformation? AND why do we lose the $$\hat p$$ term?
I am looking forward to your valuable responses...
In the latter, we don't have just ##p##. We have two ##p##'s. One ##p## is in ##\langle p|## and the other ##p## is on the left from that. So we don't lose ##\hat p##. We replace ##\hat p## with ##p## and put it on the left.

Perhaps you ask why can we put it on the left?
 

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