What are the properties of angular momentum operators?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around properties of angular momentum operators in quantum mechanics, specifically in the context of a hydrogen atom's electron state represented in |n,l,m> notation. The original poster presents a series of questions related to normalizing a wave function, calculating probabilities of measuring energy and angular momentum, and exploring expectation values.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the normalization of the wave function and the calculation of probabilities for measuring specific energy and angular momentum values. There are attempts to clarify the calculations involved in these processes, particularly regarding the inner product and the implications of complex coefficients.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered corrections and clarifications on the normalization process and the calculations for probabilities. There is ongoing exploration of the angular momentum operators and their application to the problem, with multiple interpretations being considered, particularly for the expectation values and their time dependence.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can share or the depth of their discussions. There is a noted uncertainty regarding the calculations for measuring Lx and the expectation values, indicating that some foundational concepts may still be under review.

wizzart
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I'm having a little bit of a problem with an exercise from my QM class. I've got the feeling it's really basic, and it probably comes down to the fact that I'm still quite flabbergasted by angular momentum operators | :rolleyes: . Anyway, the problem:

An electron in the hydrogen atom (neglecting spin) is (using |n,l,m>-notation) in the initial state:
|\Psi>_{t=0}=3|1,0,0>+|2,1,1>+i \sqrt{5}|2,1,0>-|2,1,-1>

a)Normalise \Psi
Calculating <\Psi|\Psi>, shows that the squared weights in front of the eigenfunctions sum up to 16. So the normalising constant A=1/4

b)Find the probability of measuring E_2
Corresponds with n=2, so P(E_2)=7/16

c)Find the probability of measuring Lz=0
m=0, so P(Lz=0)=7/8

The next to questions are the ones that I can't figure out...not with certainty anyway.
d)Find the probability of measuring Lx=0
e)Find the expectation values of Lz and Lx
f)In what way to these values changes with progressing time

I can prob. get the answers in a few days in class, but I'd rather have 'em earlier, since then I can study on...
 
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For part (a),

(i \sqrt{5}) ^2 = -5 [\tex]<br /> <br /> <br /> A = 1/\sqrt{6} [\tex]&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; gamma&lt;br /&gt; ----------------------&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; I tried to use TEX for the first time and got it wrong. Sorry.&lt;br /&gt; correction: (i sqrt(5) ) ^2 = -5&lt;br /&gt; so A = sqrt (6)&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; gamma.
 
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I think my initial answer to part a was right, Gamma. Realise that &lt;\Psi| is a complex conjugate of the given \Psi, so the minus sign cancels out when calculating the inner product.

Anybody any thoughts or clear/constructive texts on the angular momentum operators, or their apllication to this particular problem?
 
wizzart said:
I'm having a little bit of a problem with an exercise from my QM class. I've got the feeling it's really basic, and it probably comes down to the fact that I'm still quite flabbergasted by angular momentum operators | :rolleyes: . Anyway, the problem:

An electron in the hydrogen atom (neglecting spin) is (using |n,l,m>-notation) in the initial state:
|\Psi&gt;_{t=0}=3|1,0,0&gt;+|2,1,1&gt;+i \sqrt{5}|2,1,0&gt;-|2,1,-1&gt;

a)Normalise \Psi
Calculating &lt;\Psi|\Psi&gt;, shows that the squared weights in front of the eigenfunctions sum up to 16. So the normalising constant A=1/4

b)Find the probability of measuring E_2
Corresponds with n=2, so P(E_2)=7/16

c)Find the probability of measuring Lz=0
m=0, so P(Lz=0)=7/8

The next to questions are the ones that I can't figure out...not with certainty anyway.
d)Find the probability of measuring Lx=0
e)Find the expectation values of Lz and Lx
f)In what way to these values changes with progressing time

I can prob. get the answers in a few days in class, but I'd rather have 'em earlier, since then I can study on...

Let's take it slow,really slow:
(a)&lt;\Psi|\Psi&gt;=1\Rightarrow |\Psi&gt;=\frac{1}{4}(3|1,0,0&gt;+|2,1,1&gt;+i \sqrt{5}|2,1,0&gt;-|2,1,-1&gt;)
(b)P(n=2)=|&lt;2,l,m|\Psi&gt;|^{2}=\frac{1}{16}(1+5+1)=\frac{7}{16}
(c)P(m=0)=|&lt;n,l,0|\Psi&gt;|^{2}=\frac{1}{16}(9+5)=\frac{7}{8}
(d,e)\hat{L}_{x}=\frac{1}{2}(\hat{L}_{+}+\hat{L}_{-})
\hat{L}_{+}|n,l,m&gt;=\hbar\sqrt{l(l+1)-m(m+1)}|n,l,m+1&gt;
\hat{L}_{-}|n,l,m&gt;=\hbar\sqrt{l(l+1)-m(m-1)}|n,l,m-1&gt;
\hat{L}_{+}|\Psi&gt;=\frac{1}{4}(i\hbar\sqrt{10}|2,1,1&gt;-\hbar\sqrt{2}|2,1,0&gt;)
\hat{L}_{-}|\Psi&gt;=\frac{1}{4}(\hbar\sqrt{2}|2,1,0&gt;+i\hbar\sqrt{10}|2,1,-1&gt;)
\hat{L}_{x}|\Psi&gt;=\frac{1}{8}i\hbar\sqrt{10}(|2,1,-1&gt;+|2,1,1&gt;)
&lt;\hat{L}_{x}&gt;=&lt;\Psi|\hat_{L}_{x}|\Psi&gt;=\frac{i\hbar\sqrt{10}}{32} (1-1)=0
P(eigenvalue(\hat{L}_{x})=0)=...?? (?? :confused: I'm not sure)

(f)The eigenvalues,the averages and the probabilities do not change in time,because the selfadjoint operators and the orthogonal projectors from their spectral decomposition are time independent (in the Schroedinger picture) and they commute with the time independent Hamiltonian.
 
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