Understanding the Disappearance of 2*A^*<A> and 2*B^*<B> in Derivations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mathematical derivation involving the terms 2*A^* and 2*B^* in the context of expectation values in quantum mechanics. Participants are examining how these terms disappear in the derivation process and the implications of this on the resulting expressions.

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  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

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Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit some agreement on the mathematical principles involved, but there is disagreement regarding the notation and specific steps in the derivation. The discussion remains unresolved on the exact handling of the terms in question.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the notation and the assumptions made in the derivation process, particularly concerning the expectation values and their implications.

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It was absorbed generating a term similar to the one already there, namely <A>^2 or <B>^2.

<A>^2 - 2<A><A> + <A^2> = <A^2> + <A>^2 - 2 <A>^2 = <A^2> - <A>^2 and the same for B.
 
thanks for your reply,

but you wrote: <A>^2 - 2<A><A> + <A^2>
it is supposed to be: <A>^2 - 2<A>A + A^2

see figure please
 
M. next said:
thanks for your reply,

but you wrote: <A>^2 - 2<A><A> + <A^2>
it is supposed to be: <A>^2 - 2<A>A + A^2

If you have a look at the figure you have posted, you will see that you are supposed to take the expectation value of that second line you just gave (<A>^2 - 2<A>A + A^2). Taking the expectation value of that line gives you the first line you just gave (<A>^2 - 2<A><A> + <A^2>).
 
how come?
i didn't get it, mind elaborating?
 
The key is to remember that \langle A \rangle \equiv \langle \psi | A | \psi \rangle.

So we have:
\langle \psi | (\Delta A)^2 | \psi\rangle = \langle \psi | \hat{A}^2 - 2\hat{A}\langle \hat{A} \rangle + \langle \hat{A} \rangle ^ 2 | \psi \rangle \\<br /> = \langle \psi | \hat{A}^2 | \psi \rangle - 2\langle \hat{A} \rangle \langle \psi | \hat{A} | \psi \rangle + \langle \hat{A} \rangle ^2 \langle \psi | \psi \rangle \\<br /> = \langle \hat{A}^2\rangle - 2\langle \hat{A}\rangle \langle \hat{A} \rangle + \langle \hat{A} \rangle^2 \\<br /> = \langle \hat{A}^2\rangle - \langle \hat{A}\rangle ^2

Does that make sense?
 
Yes Very!
Thank you very much Chopin.
 

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