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Tutorial 6

This document provides a summary of key concepts from quantum physics: 1. It proves several commutation relations including [AB, C] = A[B, C] + [A, C]B and [xn, p] = iħnxn-1. 2. It derives the uncertainty relation between position x and energy E as ΔxΔE ≥ ħ/2, which does not provide useful information for stationary states where ΔE = 0. 3. It proves the virial theorem, which relates the expectation values of kinetic and potential energy for stationary states as <T> = <V>, using the time evolution of the xp operator commutator. This is demonstrated for

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16 views

Tutorial 6

This document provides a summary of key concepts from quantum physics: 1. It proves several commutation relations including [AB, C] = A[B, C] + [A, C]B and [xn, p] = iħnxn-1. 2. It derives the uncertainty relation between position x and energy E as ΔxΔE ≥ ħ/2, which does not provide useful information for stationary states where ΔE = 0. 3. It proves the virial theorem, which relates the expectation values of kinetic and potential energy for stationary states as <T> = <V>, using the time evolution of the xp operator commutator. This is demonstrated for

Uploaded by

NitinKumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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W ORLD OF P HYSICS IV - Q UANTUM P HYSICS

Sourabh Dube

Tutorial 6
1.

(a) Prove that [AB, C] = A [B, C] + [A, C] B.


[AB, C] = ABC CAB
= ABC ACB + ACB CAB
= A[B, C] + [A, C]B
(b) Prove that [xn , p] = ihnxn1 .
h dg

i dx
h dg
= xn

i dx
= ihnxn1 g

[xn , p]g = xn

h d n
(x g)
i dx

h
n1
n dg
nx
+x
i
dx

(c) Prove that [f (x), p] = ihdf /dx for any f (x).


h dg

i dx
h dg
=f

i dx
df
= ih g
dx

[f, p]g = f

h d
(f g)
i dx

h df
dg
g+f
i dx
dx

2. (Prob. 3.14 from Grifths)


What is the uncertainty relation relating the uncertainty in position x, with the uncertainty in
energy (E = p2 /2m + V ). (And what does it look like for stationary states?)
was
The generalised uncertainty principle we saw in class for two operators A and B
A2 B2
Now

1
[A, B]

2i

p2
1
+V =
[x, p2 ] + [x, V ]
x,
2m
2m

We have [x, V ] = 0 for all potentials we have considered so far. And


[x, p2 ] = [x, pp]
= [x, p]p + p[x, p]
= ihp + pih = 2i
hp
So

p2
ihp
+V =
x,
2m
m

Thus we get

1 ih
p
2i m

x H

|p|
2m

2
x2 H

For a stationary state, H = 0, and p = 0, so the uncertainty relation does not tell us much
(0 0).

3. (Prob. 3.31 from Grifths)


The virial theorem. Using the time-evolution of an observable seen in class, show that

dV
d
xp = 2T x
dt
dx

where T is the kinetic energy (H = T + V ). In a stationary state the left side is zero, so

dV
2T = x
dx

. This is the virial theorem. Use it to prove that T = V for stationary states of the
harmonic oscillator.

We obtained the following relation is class for Q

i
d
Q
Q = [H,
Q] +
dt
h

t
Sourabh Dube - PHY202

Now the combination xp does not have explicit time dependence. So we can write
i
d
xp = [H, xp]
dt
h

Once again using the rst relation from the tutorial


[H, xp] = [H, x]p + x[H, p]
We know
[H, x] =

ihp
m

and we can show (using the rst problem)


[H, p] = ih

dV
dx

So

ih
dV
i
d
p2 + ihx
xp =

dt
h

m
dx
dV
p2
x

= 2
2m dx
dV
= 2T x
dx

In a stationary state, all expectation values (for operators that do not explicitly depend on
time) are time-independent. So dxp/dt = 0, and we get

dV
2T = x
dx

For the harmonic oscillator


1
dV
dV
= m 2 x x
= m 2 x2 = 2V
V = m 2 x2
2
dx
dx
Thus we get

Sourabh Dube - PHY202

2T = 2V T = V

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