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LandauLifshitz TheClassicalTheoryOfFields Text

The document proves that the position and momentum operators are Hermitian. It shows that for any wavefunctions ψ and φ, the inner products 〈ψ|x|φ〉 and 〈ψ|p|φ〉 are equal to 〈φ|x|ψ〉* and 〈φ|p|ψ〉*, respectively, by manipulating the definitions of the position and momentum operators, demonstrating that both operators are Hermitian. Hermitian operators are required for observables in quantum mechanics.

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77 views

LandauLifshitz TheClassicalTheoryOfFields Text

The document proves that the position and momentum operators are Hermitian. It shows that for any wavefunctions ψ and φ, the inner products 〈ψ|x|φ〉 and 〈ψ|p|φ〉 are equal to 〈φ|x|ψ〉* and 〈φ|p|ψ〉*, respectively, by manipulating the definitions of the position and momentum operators, demonstrating that both operators are Hermitian. Hermitian operators are required for observables in quantum mechanics.

Uploaded by

Jorgito Hdex
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Position and Momentum Operator is Hermitian

Griffiths: Problem 3.4 Part d.

Consider the position operator: .

Proof: Wanted to show that 〈 | 〉 〈 | 〉 for all . Now,

〈 ∗ ∗ ∗
| 〉 |

Hence the position operator is Hermitian.

Consider the momentum operator: ̂ .

Proof: Wanted to show that 〈 ̂ | 〉 〈 | ̂ 〉 for all . Now,

∗ ∗ ∗
〈 ̂ | 〉 ∗
̂

∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ | ̂
̂

Hence the momentum operator ̂ is also Hermitian.

Note: Observables are represented by Hermitian operators.

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