7: Orbital Angular Momentum

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7.1: Angular Momenum Operators
In classical mechanics, the vector angular momentum, L, of a particle of position vector ${\bf r}$ and linear momentum ${\bf p}$ is defined...
7.2: Representation of Angular Momentum
Now, we saw earlier, in Section 7.1 that the operators, $p_i$, which represent the Cartesian components of linear momentum in quantum mechanics, can be represented as the spatial differential operators $-{\rm i}\,\hbar\,\partial/\partial x_i$. Let us now investigate whether angular momentum operators can similarly be represented as spatial differential operators.
7.3: Eigenstates of Angular Momentum
7.4: Eigenvalues of Lz
7.5: Eigenvalues of L²
Consider the angular wavefunction...
7.6: Spherical Harmonics
The simultaneous eigenstates, $Y_{l,m}(\theta,\phi)$, of $L^2$ and $L_z$ are known as the spherical harmonics . Let us investigate their functional form.
7.E: Orbital Angular Momentum (Exercises)

Contributors and Attributions

Richard Fitzpatrick (Professor of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin)

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