Momentum and wave vector representation

In summary: The reason is that when F(p) is normalized, then$$\int^{+\infty}_{-\infty} {F^*F dp} = 1$$so the Fourier transform of a function with a normalized domain is also normalized.
  • #1
LagrangeEuler
717
20
[tex]p=\hbar k[/tex]
So ##dp=\hbar dk##
How to define Fourier transform from momentum to coordinate space and from wave vector to coordinate space? I'm confused. Is there one way to do it or more equivalent ways?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
As far as I know, the only way to do it that preserves normalization is:

$$\psi(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi \hbar}} \int^{+\infty}_{-\infty} {\phi(p) e^{ipx/\hbar} dp} \\ \phi(p) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi \hbar}} \int^{+\infty}_{-\infty} {\psi(x) e^{-ipx/\hbar} dx}$$

or

$$\psi(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi}} \int^{+\infty}_{-\infty} {A(k) e^{ikx} dk} \\ A(k) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi}} \int^{+\infty}_{-\infty} {\psi(x) e^{-ikx} dx}$$
 
  • #3
Thanks for your answer. And when you want to go from momentum to wave vector representation
For example
##\psi(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}}\int^{\infty}_{-\infty}F(k)e^{ikx}dk##
##p=\hbar k## so ##dp=\hbar dk##
and
##\psi(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}}\frac{1}{\hbar}\int^{\infty}_{-\infty}F(p)e^{i\frac{p}{\hbar}x}dp##
Right?
 
  • #4
LagrangeEuler said:
##\psi(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}}\frac{1}{\hbar}\int^{\infty}_{-\infty}F(p)e^{i\frac{p}{\hbar}x}dp##

You will find that, using this equation, if F(p) is normalized, that is

$$\int^{+\infty}_{-\infty} {F^*F dp} = 1$$

then ##\psi(x)## is not, that is

$$\int^{+\infty}_{-\infty} {\psi^*\psi dx} \ne 1$$

whereas for my version (in the first pair of my previous post), if ##\phi(p)## is normalized, then so is ##\psi(x)##, and vice versa. The extra factor of ##\sqrt{\hbar}## makes the difference. In my version,

$$\phi(p) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\hbar}} A(k) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\hbar}} A \left( \frac{p}{\hbar} \right)$$

(Your F(k) is my A(k).)
 
  • #5
But why? Why is ##\phi(p)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{\hbar}}A(k)##?
 

FAQ: Momentum and wave vector representation

What is momentum in physics?

Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the motion of an object. It is defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. In other words, it is a measure of how much force is needed to change the object's motion.

How is momentum related to wave vector representation?

In the context of wave mechanics, momentum is represented by the wave vector, which describes the direction and magnitude of a wave's propagation. The momentum of a particle can be calculated from its wave function using the de Broglie relation, which relates the particle's momentum to its wavelength.

What is the significance of wave vector representation in quantum mechanics?

In quantum mechanics, the wave vector representation is used to describe the wave-like behavior of particles. It allows us to understand the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level, where classical mechanics does not apply. The wave vector representation is essential for understanding phenomena such as diffraction, interference, and quantum tunneling.

How does the direction of the wave vector affect the momentum of a particle?

The direction of the wave vector determines the direction of the particle's momentum. This is because the wave vector represents the direction of the wave's propagation, and the momentum of a particle is related to the wave's momentum. Therefore, a change in the wave vector's direction will result in a change in the particle's momentum.

Can the wave vector be negative?

Yes, the wave vector can be negative. In quantum mechanics, the wave function of a particle can have both positive and negative values, which correspond to the forward and backward propagation of the wave. Therefore, the wave vector can also be positive or negative, depending on the direction of the wave's propagation.

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
61
Views
4K
Replies
16
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
1K
Replies
56
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
870
Back
Top