Physics:Quantum methods/operator: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "{{Short description|Mathematical object representing a physical observable}} {{Quantum methods backlink|Mathematical methods}} An '''operator''' is a mathematical object used in quantum mechanics to represent observables and transformations. == References == {{reflist|3}} {{Author|Harold Foppele}}"
 
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{{Quantum methods backlink|Mathematical methods}}
{{Quantum methods backlink|Mathematical methods}}


An '''operator''' is a mathematical object used in quantum mechanics to represent observables and transformations.
An '''operator''' is a mathematical object that acts on a [[Physics:Quantum methods/basis|basis]] or state to produce another state. In quantum theory, operators represent physical quantities such as position, momentum, and energy.


== References ==
<div style="float:right; border:1px solid #e0d890; background:#fff8cc; padding:6px; margin:0 0 1em 1em; width:320px;">
[[File:Quantum_operator.png|300px]]
<div style="font-size:90%;">Operators act on states to produce measurable quantities.</div>
</div>
 
== Description ==
Operators encode the measurable properties of a system. Applying an operator to a state yields information about the corresponding physical quantity.
 
== Properties ==
 
* acts on states or functions
* represents observables
* central to quantum formalism
 
=See also=
{{#invoke:PhysicsQC|tocHeadingAndList|Physics:Quantum basics/See also}}
 
=References=
{{reflist|3}}
{{reflist|3}}


{{Author|Harold Foppele}}
{{Author|Harold Foppele}}
{{Sourceattribution|Physics:Quantum methods/operator|1}}

Revision as of 09:12, 9 May 2026


An operator is a mathematical object that acts on a basis or state to produce another state. In quantum theory, operators represent physical quantities such as position, momentum, and energy.

Operators act on states to produce measurable quantities.

Description

Operators encode the measurable properties of a system. Applying an operator to a state yields information about the corresponding physical quantity.

Properties

  • acts on states or functions
  • represents observables
  • central to quantum formalism

See also

Table of contents (185 articles)

Index

Full contents

9. Quantum optics and experiments (5) ↑ Back to index
14. Plasma and fusion physics (8) ↑ Back to index
Conceptual illustration of plasma physics in a fusion context, showing magnetically confined ionized gas in a tokamak and the collective behavior governed by electromagnetic fields and transport processes.
Conceptual illustration of plasma physics in a fusion context, showing magnetically confined ionized gas in a tokamak and the collective behavior governed by electromagnetic fields and transport processes.

References


Author: Harold Foppele

Source attribution: Physics:Quantum methods/operator

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