Principles of Quantum Mechanics · Problem 4.2.2

Simple Problems in One Dimension — R. Shankar

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · real-wave-functions-momentum-expectation

Problem

Show that for a real wave function ψ(x)\psi(x), the expectation value of momentum ⟨P⟩=0\langle P \rangle = 0. (Hint: Show that the probabilities for the momenta ±p\pm p are equal.) Generalize this result to the case ψ=cψr\psi = c\psi_r, where ψr\psi_r is real and cc an arbitrary (real or complex) constant. (Recall that ∣ψ⟩|\psi\rangle and a∣ψ⟩a|\psi\rangle are physically equivalent.)

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