- #1
Irishdoug
- 102
- 16
- Homework Statement
- Why can we always choose energy eigenstates to be purely real functions (unlike the physical wavefunction ##\psi##(x,t)?
This question is taken from an assignment on MIT's opencourses (Q2a).
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-04-quantum-physics-i-spring-2013/assignments/MIT8_04S13_ps4.pdf
- Relevant Equations
- N/A
I couldn't quite answer, so looked at the solution. I just want to ensure I am undertsanding the answer correctly. The answer is given here on page 3. Q2a:
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics...pring-2013/assignments/MIT8_04S13_ps4_sol.pdf
Am I right in concluding that the reason energy eigenstates can be taken to be purely real is because the energy operator is purely real? And with the physical wavefunction this is not possible due to it having a momentum and as such a momentum operator that has a complex form?
Thankyou for your help!
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics...pring-2013/assignments/MIT8_04S13_ps4_sol.pdf
Am I right in concluding that the reason energy eigenstates can be taken to be purely real is because the energy operator is purely real? And with the physical wavefunction this is not possible due to it having a momentum and as such a momentum operator that has a complex form?
Thankyou for your help!