Postulates and Basic Elements of Quantum Mechanics: Properties of Operators

Abstract

In this chapter I present a somewhat more formal introduction to the theory that underlies quantum mechanics. Although the discussion is limited mainly to single particles, many of the results apply equally well to many-particle systems. Some of the postulates of the theory depend on the properties of Hermitian operators, operators that play a central role in quantum mechanics. First I state the postulates, then discuss Hermitian operators, and finally explore some results that follow directly from Schrödinger’s equation.