Tut Sheet & MCQs on Angular Momentum using bra-ket algebra 1

Tutorial Sheet & Multiple Choice Questions

on
Angular Momentum using bra-ket algebra

Tutorial Sheet

1 If  A  P , show that P  A  where  is the adjoint of the operator  .

2 Show that     where  and  are the adjoints of the operators  and  .
3. If  and  are observables and if    , show that we can have a complete set of
simultaneous eigenvectors.

4. Show that  J z ,J     J  ; using this equation show that J  j m  C j m  1 . Evaluate C .

[Ans: C  j m  j  m  1 ]

1 3
5. Evaluate the angular momentum matrices J x ,J y ,J z , J  and J  for j
, 1 and . [These
2 2
th
matrices are given on pages 315,317 and 323 of the 5 edition of our book on QM]. Show that
whereas the matrices for J x ,J y and J z are Hermitian, the matrices for J  and J  are not
Hermitian. In each case, show explicitly that J  j, j  0 and J  j,  j  0 which implies that
 j and  j are the maximum and minimum values of m.
6. The spin angular momentum operator for electron is given by
1 1 1
sx   x , s y   y , s z   z (1)
2 2 2
where x , y and z are Pauli spin matrices. Write the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of
sx , s y and sz .

7. Let s 2  sx2  s y2  sz2 . Show that we can have a complete set of simultaneous eigenvectors of s 2
and s x ; or of s 2 and s y ; or of s 2 and s z .Write those simultaneous eigenvectors.

8. A spin half particle is in the “z-up” state. On that particle, if we make a measurement of sx then
what are the values that we will obtain and what will be their probabilities.

9 The magnetic moment of the neutral Ag-atom is the same as that of an electron and is given by
q
μ  s (2)
m
where q and m represent the charge and mass of the electron and sx , s y and sz are given by Eq.
(1). Such a particle is placed in a static magnetic field given by

1
 Tut Sheet & MCQs on Angular Momentum using bra-ket algebra 2

B  B0 z^ (3)
Thus
1
H 0   μ.B  0 z (4)
2

Obtain the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of H 0 .

10 Write the most general solution of the time dependent Schrodinger equation


i |  (t )   H 0 |  (t )  (5)
t
where H 0 is given by Eq. (4).
11. In continuation of the previous problem, we assume that at t = 0, the atom is in the x̂  state.
Obtain the time evolution of the state and calculate the expectation values of sx , s y and sz .

Multiple Choice Questions

1 1 1 1
1 For j  ; J x   x , J y   y and Jz   z where  x ,  y and  z are Pauli spin
2 2 2 2
matrices. Evaluate 2 J x 1
1
(a) 2 J x 1  
2
1
(b) 2 J x 1 
2

(c) 2 J x 1  
(d) 2 J x 1   i

[Answer (b)]

1 1 1 1
2 | j,m  are simultaneous eigenkets of J 2 and J z . Let 1  , and 2  ,  .
2 2 2 2
Evaluate 1 J y 2 .
i
(a) 1 Jy 2  
2
i
(b) 1 Jy 2  
2
(c) 1 J y 2  
2
(d) 1 Jy 2  
2
2
 Tut Sheet & MCQs on Angular Momentum using bra-ket algebra 3

[Answer (b)]

1 1 1 1
3 | j,m  are simultaneous eigenkets of J 2 and J z . Let 1  , and 2  ,  .
2 2 2 2
Evaluate 2 J2 2 .

3
(a) 2 J2 2  2

4
3
(b) 2 J2 2  2

4
1
(c) 2 J 2 2  2

2
1
(d) 2 J 2 2   2

[Answer (a)]

1 1 1 1
4 For j  ; J x   x , J y   y and Jz   z where  x ,  y and  z are Pauli spin
2 2 2 2
matrices. What are the eigenvalues of J y ?

(a) The eigenvalues of J y are 

i
(b) The eigenvalues of J y are 
2
1
(c) The eigenvalues of J y are 
2
(d) The eigenvalues of J y are  i

[Answer (c)]
3 3 3 3 1 3 1 3 3
5 Assume j  . The kets 1  , , 2  , , 3  , and 4  ,  are
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
simultaneous eigenkets of J 2 and J z . Which one of the following answers would be completely
correct

3 2 3
(a) J 2 1  1 & Jz 1  1
2 2
15 2 3
(b) J 2 2  2 & Jz 2  2
4 2
15 2 1
(c) J 2 3  3 & Jz 3  1
4 2

3
 Tut Sheet & MCQs on Angular Momentum using bra-ket algebra 4

15 3
(d) J 2 4  2
4 & Jz 4   4
4 2

[Answer (b)]

3 3 3 3 1 3 1 3 3
6 Assume j  . The kets 1  , , 2  , , 3  , and 4  , are
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
simultaneous eigenkets of J 2 and J z . Evaluate 2 J y 1
i 3
(a) 2 J y 1  
2
i 3
(b) 2 J y 1 
2
3
(c) 2 J y 1 
2
3
(d) 2 J y 1  
2

[Answer (b)]

   
7 L  Lx  iLy  e i    i cot  ; Y1,1  C LY1,0 . The constant C is given by
   

1
(a) C 
2
1
(b) C 
2
1
(c) C 
6
1
(d) C 
6

[Answer (a)]

   
8 L  Lx  iLy  e i    i cot  ; Y3,2  C LY3,1 . The constant C is given by
   

1
(a) C 
10
1
(b) C 
10

4
 Tut Sheet & MCQs on Angular Momentum using bra-ket algebra 5

1
(c) C 
12
1
(d) C 
12

[Answer (a)]