Why Does [H, Q] = 0 Imply d<Q>/dt = 0?

In summary, the conversation discusses the conservation of an operator Q that commutes with the Hamiltonian. The solution shows that the time derivative of the expectation value of Q is equal to zero, using the fact that Q and H commute. The confusion arises in the second step, where the sum of two terms is taken and the Hamiltonian is placed before Q in the second term. This is true because Poisson brackets satisfy a certain relation and in a unitary space, the complex conjugate of Q is equal to Q itself.
  • #1
syang9
61
0

Homework Statement



Show any operator Q that commutes with the Hamiltonian, [Q,H] = 0, is conserved in the above sense (d/dt〈Ψ|QΨ〉 = 0).
The solution to this problem is as follows:

iħd/dt〈Ψ|QΨ〉 = (iħd/dt〈Ψ|)|QΨ〉 + 〈Ψ|(|Qiħd/dtΨ〉 = –〈HΨ|QΨ〉 + 〈Ψ|QHΨ〉 = 〈Ψ|[QH]Ψ〉 = 0.

What I am confused about is the second step:

[tex]
\[i\hbar \frac{d}{{dt}}\left\langle \psi \right|\left. {Q\psi } \right\rangle = \left\langle {i\hbar \frac{d}{{dt}}\psi } \right|\left. {Q\psi } \right\rangle + \left\langle \psi \right|\left. {Qi\hbar \frac{d}{{dt}}\psi } \right\rangle\]
[/tex]

Why is this true? Where did the sum come from? Why is the Hamiltonian before Q in the second term of the sum? What allows you to put it in that order? Does it matter (I assume it does since we're trying to prove a commutation relation here..)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
well, poisson brackets satsify the next relation where @ stands for partial derivative:
df/dt=[f,H]+@f/@t
so what you wrote in the title is correct only if f isn't explicitly depended on t.
for your last question obviously we have here the derivative of a multiplication.
in a unitary space, <psi|Q(psi)>=<Q(psi)|psi>* where * stands for complex conjugate.
 

FAQ: Why Does [H, Q] = 0 Imply d<Q>/dt = 0?

What does the equation [H,Q] = 0 mean?

The equation [H,Q] = 0 means that the commutator of two operators, H and Q, is equal to zero. In other words, the two operators commute with each other.

How does this equation relate to d/dt = 0?

This equation shows that the operators H and Q do not change with time, as their commutator is equal to zero. This in turn means that the expectation value of their derivative, d/dt, is also equal to zero.

Why is this equation important in physics?

This equation is important because it allows us to simplify the equations of motion in quantum mechanics. It means that the operators H and Q can be treated as constants, which makes it easier to solve problems and make predictions.

Can you provide an example of where this equation is used?

One example of where this equation is used is in the quantum harmonic oscillator. Here, H represents the Hamiltonian of the system and Q represents the position operator. The equation [H,Q] = 0 allows us to solve for the energy eigenvalues and eigenstates of the system.

Is there a general proof for this equation?

Yes, there is a general proof for this equation using the properties of commutators and the Hamiltonian operator. This proof can be found in most textbooks on quantum mechanics.

Back
Top