What does it "physically" mean, in terms of uncertainty and measurements, for a commutator to be different than zero in quantum mechanics?

Asked Dec 28 '20 at 16:34

Active Dec 28 '20 at 21:10

Viewed 76 times

Let's consider the commutator $[L_i,L_j] = i \hbar L_k$ of the angular momentum. The consequence of this equation is that two components of the angular momentum cannot be simultaneously measured. I would like to know why exactly this physical interpretation follows from the equation.

edited Dec 28 '20 at 21:10

Qmechanic

201,751

asked Dec 28 '20 at 16:34

Shinobu

I think Grant Sanderson of 3b1b also asked a similar question some time ago. Here's the link to his tweet. Might be helpful.
https://twitter.com/3blue1brown/status/1288881356332662790
– Tachyon209 Dec 28 '20 at 17:18
2

Possible duplicates: What is the physical meaning of commutators in quantum mechanics?, What is the Physical Meaning of Commutation of Two Operators? and links therein. – Qmechanic Dec 28 '20 at 21:11

What does it "physically" mean, in terms of uncertainty and measurements, for a commutator to be different than zero in quantum mechanics?

0 Answers0