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I have found 2 different forms of $⟨x|\hat{p}|x′⟩$ and I have no idea which one is the true form. Can anyone help please?

  1. $⟨x|\hat{p}|x′⟩ = (i\hbar)\frac{d\delta(x − x′)}{dx′}$

  2. $⟨x|\hat{p}|x′⟩ = -(i\hbar)\frac{d\delta(x − x′)}{dx}$

Qmechanic
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haith
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1 Answers1

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Since $\langle \psi | A | \varphi \rangle = \langle \varphi | A^{\dagger} | \psi \rangle^*$, you have to conjugate your first line. You get $$\langle x | p | x' \rangle = -i\hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial x}\delta(x-x')$$ or $$\langle x | p | x' \rangle = \langle x' | p | x\rangle^* = [-i\hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial x'}\delta(x-x')]^* = i\hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial x'}\delta(x-x') = -i\hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial x}\delta(x-x')$$ so both are the same result now.