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MManuel Abad
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The problem is very easy, maybe just something about eigenvectors that I'm missing. Go to the first two pages of the 5th chapter of ''Principles of Quantum Mechanics'', by Shankar, 2nd edition.
Shankar wants to find the solution for a free particle in Quantum Mechanics. I've got a problem with what he calls ''trial solution'', and the change from an eigenvector to another.
Hamilton operator: [itex]H=\frac{P^{2}}{2m}[/itex] for a free particle
[itex]P[/itex], the momentum operator, [itex]m[/itex] the particle's mass
State vector (ket): [itex]\left|\psi\right\rangle[/itex]
The Schroedinger equation:
[itex]i\hbar\\left|\dot{\psi}\right\rangle = H\left|\psi\right\rangle = \frac{P^{2}}{2m}\left|\psi\right\rangle[/itex]
The time independent Schrodinger equation:
[itex]H\left|E\right\rangle = \frac{P^{2}}{2m}\left|E\right\rangle = E\left|E\right\rangle[/itex]
Shankar then says that ''any eigenstate of [itex]P[/itex] is also an eigenstate of [itex]P^{2}[/itex]'', which is very clear. Then he says: ''feeding the trial solution [itex]\left|p\right\rangle[/itex] '' into the time independent Schrodinger eq., he gets:
[itex]\frac{P^{2}}{2m}\left|p\right\rangle = E\left|p\right\rangle[/itex]
But I don't get it. Why did he change from the [itex]\left|E\right\rangle[/itex] eigenbasis to the [itex]\left|p\right\rangle[/itex] eigenbasis, and still maintained the eigenvalue E? Is there atheorem of eigenbasis I'm missing? I mean, [itex]\left|p\right\rangle[/itex] is an eigenvector of [itex]P[/itex], by definition, and then, of [itex]P^{2}[/itex]. Then, from the time independent Schr. eq. we see that [itex]\left|E\right\rangle[/itex] is an eigenvector of [itex]P^{2}[/itex] too. But that doesn't mean it's the same eigenbasis, does it? Or what does ''trial'' mean in this context (forgive me, my mother language is spanish).
After that ''change of basis'' from [itex]\left|E\right\rangle[/itex] to [itex]\left|p\right\rangle[/itex], everything is fine. So please, explain it to me.
Please, forgive me, I know this is a very stupid question, but I just don't get it.
Thankyou very much for your patience.
Homework Statement
Shankar wants to find the solution for a free particle in Quantum Mechanics. I've got a problem with what he calls ''trial solution'', and the change from an eigenvector to another.
Hamilton operator: [itex]H=\frac{P^{2}}{2m}[/itex] for a free particle
[itex]P[/itex], the momentum operator, [itex]m[/itex] the particle's mass
State vector (ket): [itex]\left|\psi\right\rangle[/itex]
Homework Equations
The Schroedinger equation:
[itex]i\hbar\\left|\dot{\psi}\right\rangle = H\left|\psi\right\rangle = \frac{P^{2}}{2m}\left|\psi\right\rangle[/itex]
The time independent Schrodinger equation:
[itex]H\left|E\right\rangle = \frac{P^{2}}{2m}\left|E\right\rangle = E\left|E\right\rangle[/itex]
The Attempt at a Solution
Shankar then says that ''any eigenstate of [itex]P[/itex] is also an eigenstate of [itex]P^{2}[/itex]'', which is very clear. Then he says: ''feeding the trial solution [itex]\left|p\right\rangle[/itex] '' into the time independent Schrodinger eq., he gets:
[itex]\frac{P^{2}}{2m}\left|p\right\rangle = E\left|p\right\rangle[/itex]
But I don't get it. Why did he change from the [itex]\left|E\right\rangle[/itex] eigenbasis to the [itex]\left|p\right\rangle[/itex] eigenbasis, and still maintained the eigenvalue E? Is there atheorem of eigenbasis I'm missing? I mean, [itex]\left|p\right\rangle[/itex] is an eigenvector of [itex]P[/itex], by definition, and then, of [itex]P^{2}[/itex]. Then, from the time independent Schr. eq. we see that [itex]\left|E\right\rangle[/itex] is an eigenvector of [itex]P^{2}[/itex] too. But that doesn't mean it's the same eigenbasis, does it? Or what does ''trial'' mean in this context (forgive me, my mother language is spanish).
After that ''change of basis'' from [itex]\left|E\right\rangle[/itex] to [itex]\left|p\right\rangle[/itex], everything is fine. So please, explain it to me.
Please, forgive me, I know this is a very stupid question, but I just don't get it.
Thankyou very much for your patience.
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