Summary of quantum mechanics ideas

Spin
In general, a state |ψi doesn’t have a projection on the z axis. But the states |z+i and |z−i do have
such projections, and

the amplitude for |ψi to have Lz = +h̄/2 is hz + |ψi

the amplitude for |ψi to have Lz = −h̄/2 is hz − |ψi.

One can specify state |ψi in the {|z+i, |z−i} basis through
" #
hz + |ψi
|ψi“ = ” .
hz − |ψi

The “average” value of Lz is

   
h̄ h̄
|hz + |ψi|2 + + |hz − |ψi|2 − .
2 2

Position
In general, a state |ψi doesn’t have a position. But
√
the amplitude to be within dxA of xA is ψ(xA ) dxA .

One can specify state |ψi in the position basis through

|ψi“ = ”ψ(x).

The “average” position is

Z +∞ Z +∞
|ψ(x)|2 x dx = ψ ∗ (x)xψ(x) dx.
−∞ −∞

Energy
In general, a state |ψi doesn’t have an energy. But the states {|ni} (corresponding to wavefunctions
{ηn (x)}) do have energies, and
Z +∞
the amplitude for |ψi to have energy En is hn|ψi = ηn∗ (x)ψ(x) dx.
−∞

One can specify state |ψi in the energy basis through listing all the coefficients
Z +∞
Dn = hn|ψi = ηn∗ (x)ψ(x) dx.
−∞

The “average” energy is

+∞
h̄2 ∂ 2 ψ(x)
Z  
ψ ∗ (x) − + V (x)ψ(x) dx.
−∞ 2m ∂ 2 x