Energy Conservation in Quantum Systems - Is it Possible?

In summary, the conversation discusses whether the energy is conserved in a quantum system where the Hamiltonian of a particle evolves with time. It is concluded that if the Hamiltonian is time-dependent, the energy is not conserved, as the matrix elements of the Hamiltonian change with time and the eigenvalues are not constant. This is similar to the breakdown of conservation laws in systems with broken translation or rotation invariance. The conversation also touches on the concept of stationary solutions in quantum mechanics.
  • #1
gonadas91
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5
Hi guys! one quick question, if in a quantum system the hamiltonian of a particle evolves with time (let's say, the potential is a function of t), the energy is not conserved right? I just want to be sure about this, thanks!
 
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  • #2
gonadas91 said:
Hi guys! one quick question, if in a quantum system the hamiltonian of a particle evolves with time (let's say, the potential is a function of t), the energy is not conserved right? I just want to be sure about this, thanks!
Then, where the energies gone? Whether the Hamiltonian is time-dependent, Schrodinger equation gives constant energy.
 
  • #3
But if you think of the hamiltonian as a matrix, that means that the matrix has different matrix elements for every different time, therefore its eigenvalues are not the same as time evolves.
 
  • #4
gonadas91 said:
But if you think of the hamiltonian as a matrix, that means that the matrix has different matrix elements for every different time, therefore its eigenvalues are not the same as time evolves.
Then, the wave function have to vary depending on time to keep the energy as constant.
 
  • #5
Ok, but think about a non translationally invariant system. Momentum is not conserved in such a system because translation invariance is broken. If you break rotation invariance, angular momentum is not conserved in such a system, and if you break time invariance, then energy shouldn't be conserved.
 
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  • #6
If it breaks the time translational invariance, then yes. It may come from
[tex] \dfrac{\partial}{\partial t} \int dV \psi^*(x,t) \hat{H}(x,t) \psi(x,t) ,[/tex]
and it is not vanishing in general. Then, the energy can't conserved.

I confused with the stationary solution in quantum mechanics textbook. Sorry for that.
 

Related to Energy Conservation in Quantum Systems - Is it Possible?

1. What is energy conservation in quantum systems?

Energy conservation in quantum systems refers to the principle that energy is neither created nor destroyed, but instead can be transformed from one form to another. In quantum systems, energy conservation is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics, which dictate that energy can only exist in discrete, quantized levels.

2. Is it possible to conserve energy in quantum systems?

Yes, it is possible to conserve energy in quantum systems. The laws of quantum mechanics dictate that energy must be conserved in any physical process, including those that occur in quantum systems. However, the way in which energy is conserved in these systems may differ from classical systems due to the discrete and quantized nature of energy in the quantum realm.

3. How does energy conservation work in quantum systems?

In quantum systems, energy conservation works through a variety of mechanisms, such as the conservation of momentum and the conservation of angular momentum. These principles dictate that energy must be conserved during any physical process, and they are fundamental to understanding the behavior of particles and systems at the quantum level.

4. What are the implications of energy conservation in quantum systems?

The implications of energy conservation in quantum systems are far-reaching. It allows for the accurate prediction and understanding of the behavior of particles and systems at the quantum level, which has numerous applications in fields such as quantum computing, cryptography, and quantum mechanics. Additionally, the conservation of energy in these systems is crucial for maintaining the stability and integrity of quantum systems.

5. Are there any limitations to energy conservation in quantum systems?

While energy conservation is a fundamental principle in quantum systems, there are some limitations. One limitation is the uncertainty principle, which states that it is impossible to know the exact energy of a quantum system at any given time. This means that while energy is conserved overall, there may be fluctuations or uncertainties in the energy levels of individual particles or systems. Additionally, the conservation of energy in quantum systems may not always hold true in extreme conditions, such as those found in black holes or the early universe.

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