- #1
bon
- 559
- 0
Homework Statement
Give a physical explanation of why a spherically symmetric Ylm cannot describe the state of a system with non-zero angular momentum.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I was thinking that if Ylm is spherically symmetric then the particle is equally likely to be found in any direction. But if it has non-zero angular momentum then it is rotating therefore it\'s probability to be found at a particular angle should change with time. But then I thought: assume l=0. Then the particle doesn't have angular momentum. Even so, the spherical harmonic shouldn\'t be spherically symmetric, should it? Surely if it\'s not rotating round the nucleus then there should be a particular direction where it is certain (or v likely) to be found..?
Or am i taking classical ideas too far?
What would you say?
Tanks!