Angular Momentum - set 1

PH3101 - QM II
August 26, 2017

First of all, let us practise evaluating commutators. Consider these as warm up problems.

Problem 1:
Show the following commutation relations

[x̂, L̂x ] = 0, [x̂, L̂y ] = i~ẑ, [x̂, L̂z ] = −i~ŷ

[p̂x , L̂x ] = 0, [p̂x , L̂y ] = i~p̂z , [p̂x , L̂z ] = −i~p̂y

Problem 2:
Using the commutation relations for the angular momentum operators, prove the Jacobi identity

[L̂x , [L̂y , L̂z ]] + [L̂y , [L̂z , L̂x ]] + [L̂z , [L̂x , L̂y ]] = 0

Problem 3:
Prove the following relations
[L̂z , cos φ] = i~ sin φ
[L̂z , sin(2φ)] = 2i~(sin2 φ − cos2 φ)
where φ is the azimuthal angle.
Now, let us see how we can use our commutator calculation skills to some physical problems.

Problem 4:
(a) Prove that one can measure the z-components of the angular momentum and linear momentum
simultaneously.
(b) Write down the L̂z operator in polar co-ordinates, and solve for the wavefuction of a particle
moving with constant value of L̂z = m~. Identify the motion of the particle described by L̂z = m~.
(c) Write down the operator P̂z in differential operator form (use cartesian co-ordinates for P̂z ) and
solve for the wave function of a particle moving with constant momentum ~k along the z-direction
1
(you may take the normalisation constant to be 2π ).

1
(d) Now write down the wave function of a particle with m~ and ~k as the z-components of the
angular and linear momenta.
(e) Identify the combined motion of the particle.

Problem 5:
Consider the angular momentum state described by the wavefunction

ψ(θ, φ) = 3 sin θ cos θeiφ − 2(1 − cos2 θ)e2iφ .

(a) Is ψ(θ, φ) an eigenstate of L̂2 or L̂z ?

(b) Find the probability of measuring 2~ for the z-component of the orbital angular momentum.
(c) Find the expectation values of L2 and Lz in this state.
Hint: You may find it convenient to express ψ(θ, φ) in terms of spherical harmonics.

Problem 6:
(a) Show that the spherical harmonics satisfy the following expectation values
1
hL2x i = hL2y i = l(l + 1) − m2 ~2 .

hLx i = 0 = hLy i;
2
(b) Verify the uncertainty relation for the simultaneous measurement of x- and y- components of
the orbital angular momentum
1 p
∆Lx ∆Ly ≥ m~2 , where ∆Lx = hL2x i − hLx i2 .
2

Problem 7:
Consider a particle in the angular momentum state
r r r r r
2 3 3 3 2
ψ(θ, φ) = Y3,−3 + Y3,−2 + Y3,0 + Y3,2 + Y3,3
13 13 13 13 13
(a) If Lz is measured in this state, what values will be obtained and with what probabilities?
(b) If after a measurement of Lz , we obtain a result of 2~, calculate the uncertainties ∆Lx and ∆Ly
and their product ∆Lx ∆Ly and verify that it satisfies the generalised uncertainty relation.

Problem 8:
Consider a particle in the angular momentum state
r r
3 1
ψ(θ, φ) = Y1,1 + Y1,0 + AY1,−1
8 8

2
(a) Find A such that ψ(θ, φ) is normalised.
(b) Calculate the expectation values of L̂z and L̂2 in this state.
(c) Calculate hΦ|L̂z |ψi where
r r r
8 4 1
Φ(θ, φ) = Y1,1 + Y1,0 + Y2,−1
15 15 5

Problem 9:
A particle of mass m is fixed at one end of a rigid rod of negligible mass and length R. The other
end of the rod rotates in the xy plane about a bearing located at the origin, whose axis is in the
z-direction.
(a) Write the system’s total energy in terms of its angular momentum, L.
(b) Write down the time-independent Schrödinger equation of the system. Hint: In polar coordi-
nates, only φ varies.
(c) Solve for the possible energy levels of the system, in terms of m and the moment of inertia
I = mR2 .
(d) Explain why there is no zero-point energy.

3
 Problem Set 3 Solution
Problem 1 Angular momentum in Cartesian coordinates

Commutator of x̂ with the various components of angular momentum L̂x , L̂y , L̂z :

[x̂, L̂x ] = [x, ypz − zpy ] = 0, since x commutes with y, z, py , pz

[x̂, L̂y ] = [x, zpx − xpz ] = [x, zpx ] = z[x, px ] = ih̄z

[x̂, L̂z ] = [x, xpy − ypx ] = −[x, ypx ] = −y[x, px ] = −ih̄y

Commutator of p̂x with the various components of angular momentum L̂x , L̂y , L̂z :

[p̂x , L̂x ] = [px , ypz − zpy ] = 0, since px commutes with y, z, py , pz

[p̂x , L̂y ] = [px , zpx − xpz ] = −[px , xpz ] = −(px xpz − xpz px ) = −[px , x]pz = ih̄pz

[p̂x , L̂z ] = [px , xpy − ypx ] = [px , xpy ] = px xpy − xpy px = [px , x]py = −ih̄py

Problem 2 Jacobi identity

Recall the cyclic relationship

[L̂x , L̂y ] = ih̄L̂z [L̂y , L̂z ] = ih̄L̂x [L̂z , L̂x ] = ih̄L̂y

i.e. we cannot measure them simultaneously to arbitrary accuracy.

Jacobi identity:
 
[L̂x , [L̂y , L̂z ]] + [L̂y , [L̂z , L̂x ]] + [L̂z , [L̂x , L̂y ]] = ih̄ [L̂x , Lˆx ] + [L̂y , Lˆy ] + [L̂z , Lˆz ] = 0

Observe that Jacobi identity is also a cyclic relationship.

Problem 3 Angular Momentum in Spherical Coordinates

   
∂ ∂ ∂
[L̂z , cos φ]f (φ) = −ih̄ , cos φ f (φ) = −ih̄ cos φ − cos φ f (φ)
∂φ ∂φ ∂φ
 
∂ ∂f
= −ih̄ [cos φf (φ)] − cos φ = ih̄ sin φf (φ) =⇒ [L̂z , cos φ] = ih̄ sin φ
∂φ ∂φ

   
∂ ∂ ∂
[L̂z , sin(2φ)]f (φ) = −ih̄ , sin(2φ) f (φ) = −ih̄ sin(2φ) − sin(2φ) f (φ)
∂φ ∂φ ∂φ
 
∂ ∂f
= −ih̄ [sin(2φ)f (φ)] − sin(2φ) = −2ih̄ cos(2φ)f (φ)
∂φ ∂φ

=⇒ [L̂z , sin(2φ)] = −2ih̄ cos(2φ) = 2ih̄(sin2 φ − cos2 φ)

Problem 4 Linear Momentum vs Angular Momentum

(a) [L̂z , p̂z ] = [xp̂y − y p̂x , p̂z ] = 0 as p̂z commutes with x, y, p̂y , p̂z

Hence we can measure the z-component of the linear and angular momentum to arbitrary accuracy.
Z Z
∂ψ ∂ψ ∂ψ
(b) mh̄ψ = L̂z ψ = −ih̄ =⇒ m∂φ = −i =⇒ m ∂φ = −i =⇒ ψφ = Aeimφ
∂φ ψ ψ
where A ∈ C. This wave function describes the motion of a particle of mass m moving in uniform
circular motion in the xy-plane.
 Z Z
∂ψ ∂ψ ∂ψ
(c) h̄kψ = P̂z ψ = −ih̄ =⇒ ik∂z = =⇒ ik ∂z = =⇒ ln ψ = ikz =⇒ ψz = Beikz
∂z ψ ψ
where B ∈ C. This wave function describes the motion of a freely moving particle with uniform mo-
mentum along z-axis.

Notice that both the wavefunctions in (b) and (c) are plane waves which are non-normalizable. However,
we can normalised plane waves by working in momentum space via Fourier transform.
(d) ψ(z, φ) = ψz ψφ = ABei(kz+mφ) = Cei(kz+mφ) where C = AB ∈ C.
(e) The particle is moving in helical motion - uniform circular motion in the xy plane and constant linear
motion along z-axis.

Charge particle entering a uniform magnetic field obliquely with constant speed will move in a helical manner.

Problem 5 Angular Momentum on Spherical Harmonics

Observe that
r r
iφ 2 2iφ 8π 32π
ψ(θ, φ) = 3 sin θ cos θe − 2(1 − cos θ)e = −3 Y2,1 + 2 Y2,2
15 15
r r
15 15
where Y2,1 = − sin θ cos θeiφ and Y2,2 = sin2 θei2φ are the normalised spherical harmonics.
8π 32π

(a) ψ(θ, φ) is an eigenstate for L̂2 since l = 2 is the same for both Y2,1 and Y2,2 .
ψ(θ, φ) is not an eigenstate for L̂z since m = 1 for Y2,1 and m = 2 for Y2,2 .
 q 2
2 32π15 16
(b) P (Lz = 2h̄) =  q 2  q 2 = 25
−3 8π 15 + 2 32π 15
 
16 16 41
(c) hLz i = h̄ 1 − + 2h̄ × = h̄
25 25 25

Since l = 2 for both Y2,1 and Y2,2 , hL2 i = 2(2 + 1)h̄2 = 6h̄2 .

Problem 6 Uncertainty Relationship in Angular Momentum

(a) First consider

hL+ i = hYl,m |L+ |Yl,m i = α hYl,m |Yl,m+1 i = 0 for some α ∈ R. (raising operator)
hL− i = hYl,m |L− |Yl,m i = β hYl,m |Yl,m−1 i = 0 for some β ∈ R. (lowering operator)

as hYi,j |Yk,l i = δik δjl i.e. Yl,m are normalised orthonormal functions.

As a result
 
L+ + L− 1h i
hLx i = = hL+ i + hL− i = 0
 2  2
L+ − L− 1h i
hLy i = = hL+ i − hL− i = 0
2i 2i

2
 Therefore hLx i = 0 = hLy i

Next consider
hL2+ i = hYl,m |L2+ |Yl,m i = γ hYl,m |Yl,m+2 i = 0 for some γ ∈ R.
hL2− i = hYl,m |L2− |Yl,m i = δ hYl,m |Yl,m−2 i = 0 for some δ ∈ R.

Now
* 2 +
L+ + L− 1h 2 i hL L i + hL L i
+ − − +
hL2x i = = hL+ i + hL+ L− i + hL− L+ i + hL2− i =
2 4 4
* 2 +
L+ − L− 1h 2 i hL L i + hL L i
+ − − +
hL2y i = =− hL+ i − hL+ L− i − hL− L+ i + hL2− i =
2i 4 4

hL+ L− i + hL− L+ i
So hL2x i = hL2y i = . Recall that
4

L2 = L2x + L2y + L2z =⇒ hL2 i = hL2x i + hL2y i + hL2z i =⇒ l(l + 1)h̄2 = 2 hL2x i + m2 h̄2

1h i
=⇒ hL2x i = hL2y i = l(l + 1) − m2 h̄2
2

since Lz |Yl,m i = mh̄ |Yl,m i and L2 |Yl,m i = l(l + 1)h̄2 |Yl,m i

r h r
1 l(l + 1) − m2
q i
2 2 2
(b) ∆Lx = hL2x i − hLx i = l(l + 1) − m h̄ = h̄ = ∆Ly and
2 2
h l(l + 1) − m2 i mh̄2
∆Lx ∆Ly = h̄2 ≥
2 2
as l ≥ m =⇒ l(l + 1) ≥ m(m + 1) =⇒ l(l + 1) − m2 ≥ m

Problem 7 Angular Momentum State

Given r r r r r
2 3 3 3 2
ψ(θ, φ) = Y3,−3 + Y3,−2 + Y3,0 + Y3,2 + Y3,3
13 13 13 13 13
(a) Since Lz |Yl,m i = mh̄ |Yl,m i

m -3 -2 0 2 3
Lz = mh̄ -3h̄ -2h̄ 0 2h̄ 3h̄
2 3 3 3 2
P (Lz = mh̄)
13 13 13 13 13

(b) Immediately after the measurement of Lz = 2h̄, the state collapse to ψ(θ, φ) = Y3,2 . Using Prob-
2 1
lem 6 result, we have hLx i = 0 = hLy i and hL2x i = hLy i = [3(3 + 1) − 22 ]h̄2 = 4h̄2 . Hence
√ 2
∆Lx = ∆Ly = 4h̄2 = 2h̄ =⇒ ∆Lx ∆Ly = 4h̄2 ≥ h̄2 = 22 h̄2 (m = 2). The uncertainty relationship
is satisfied.

Problem 8 Angular Momentum State

Given r r
3 1
ψ(θ, φ) = Y1,1 + Y1,0 + AY1,−1
8 8
3 1 1
(a) Normalization: + + A2 =⇒ A = √
1=
8 8 2
Recall that the spherical harmonics Yl,m are orthonormal functions.

3
  
3 1 1 h̄
(b) hL̂z i = × 1 + × 0 + × (−1) h̄ = −
8 8 2 8
Since all the spherical harmonics in ψ(θ, φ) has l = 1, hL̂2 i = 2h̄2 .
r r "r #
3 1 1 3 1
(c) L̂z |ψi = L̂z |Y1,1 i + L̂z |Y1,0 i + √ L̂z |Y1,−1 i = |Y1,1 i − √ L̂z |Y1,−1 i h̄
8 8 2 8 2
"r r r # "r #
8 4 1 3 1
hΦ|L̂z |ψi = hY1,1 | + hY1,0 | + hY2,−1 | |Y1,1 i − √ L̂z |Y1,−1 i h̄
15 15 5 8 2
r r !
8 3 h̄
= × h̄ = √
15 8 5

Problem 9 Particle in Circular Motion

L̂2 (mvR)2 mv 2
(a) Ĥ = = = (Setting the potential energy of the particle to zero in the xy plane)
2mR2 2mR2 2
(b) Time independent Schrödinger equation:

L̂2 h̄2 1 ∂2
   
1 ∂ ∂
ĤΨ = EΨ =⇒ Ψ = EΨ =⇒ − sin θ + Ψ = EΨ
2mR2 2mR2 sin θ ∂θ ∂θ sin2 θ ∂φ2

1 ∂2
   
2 2 1 ∂ ∂
where L̂ = −h̄ sin θ + .
sin θ ∂θ ∂θ sin2 θ ∂φ2

For circular motion in the xy plane, the polar angle θ = 900 is constant. Thus

h̄2 ∂ 2 Ψ ∂ 2 Ψ 2mR2 E
− = EΨ =⇒ + Ψ=0
2mR2 ∂φ2 ∂φ2 h̄2

(c) The above Schrödinger equation is a second order linear homogeneous differential equation. The auxiliary
2mR2 E 2IE
equation is λ2 + k 2 = 0 where k 2 = 2 = 2 and I = mR2 is the moment of inertia of the system.
h̄ h̄
Solving the auxiliary equation we have λ = ±ki which give

Ψ(φ) = Aeikφ + Be−ikφ

for some A, B ∈ C. Now, the particle is in circular motion and thus the wave function must be periodic
with period 2π which imply that

Ψ(φ + 2π) = Ψ(φ)

This is the boundary condition for uniform circular motion. As a result eikφ = eik(φ+2π) = ei(2kπ+kφ) =⇒
k = n ∈ Z i.e. k is an integer.

”Discretization of the energy arises from the boundary conditions.”

2mR2 En n2 h̄2 n2 h̄2

Now n2 = k 2 = 2 =⇒ En = 2
= where n ∈ {0, ±1, ±2, ...} and I = mR2
h̄ 2mR 2I
(d) Zero-point energy (ZPE) or ground state energy is the lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical
system may have. In this question, the ground state energy (or ZPE) is E0 = 0. Hence there is no zero-
point energy. This is because the Hamiltonian involve only the azimuthal angle φ. It does not contain
any canonical conjugate pair of variables.