Question:medium

Consider operators \(\hat{A}\), \(\hat{B}\), and \(\hat{C}\) for three observables of a quantum system satisfying \([\hat{A},\hat{B}] = 0\), \([\hat{B},\hat{C}] = 0\), and \([\hat{A},\hat{C}] \neq 0\), with uncertainties \(\Delta A, \Delta B, \Delta C\), respectively. From the options given below, which is/are implied by the commutation relations among \(\hat{A}\), \(\hat{B}\), and \(\hat{C}\)?

Show Hint

A zero commutator means the pair can share eigenstates, so their uncertainty product can hit zero; a non-zero commutator blocks a full common eigenbasis, so the pair's uncertainty product must stay positive.
Apply this separately to each pair among \(\hat{A}, \hat{B}, \hat{C}\).
Updated On: Jul 28, 2026
  • \(\Delta A \, \Delta B > 0\)
  • \(\Delta A \, \Delta C > 0\)
  • \(\hat{A}, \hat{B}\) can be simultaneously diagonalized.
  • \(\hat{A}, \hat{B}, \hat{C}\) can be simultaneously diagonalized.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B, C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Translate each commutator into a physical statement.
A zero commutator means the two observables are compatible, they can be measured together with no fundamental limit, and their operators share eigenvectors. A non-zero commutator means the observables are incompatible, no state can be an exact eigenstate of both at once.

Step 2: Read off compatibility for each pair.
$\hat{A}$ and $\hat{B}$ are compatible ($[\hat{A},\hat{B}]=0$). $\hat{B}$ and $\hat{C}$ are compatible ($[\hat{B},\hat{C}]=0$). $\hat{A}$ and $\hat{C}$ are incompatible ($[\hat{A},\hat{C}] \neq 0$).

Step 3: Check statement (C) using compatibility.
Compatible observables always admit a shared eigenbasis, that is the entire meaning of simultaneous diagonalization. Since $\hat{A}$ and $\hat{B}$ are compatible, this shared basis exists, so (C) is TRUE.

Step 4: Check statement (D) using compatibility.
A single basis that diagonalizes all of $\hat{A}, \hat{B}, \hat{C}$ together would in particular be a shared eigenbasis for $\hat{A}$ and $\hat{C}$ too, forcing $[\hat{A},\hat{C}]=0$. Since we are told the opposite, no such triple-diagonalizing basis can exist, so (D) is FALSE.

Step 5: Check statement (A) using compatibility.
$\hat{A}$ and $\hat{B}$ are compatible, meaning the system can sit in a state that is a simultaneous eigenstate of both, where each uncertainty is individually zero. That makes $\Delta A \, \Delta B$ equal to zero in such a state, so it is not always greater than zero, and (A) is FALSE.

Step 6: Check statement (B) using compatibility.
$\hat{A}$ and $\hat{C}$ are incompatible. Because no state exists in which both are simultaneously sharp, the system cannot reach $\Delta A = 0$ and $\Delta C = 0$ together, so their product $\Delta A \, \Delta C$ stays above zero. Statement (B) is TRUE.

Final Answer:
Reading each commutator as a compatible or incompatible pair of observables again shows (B) and (C) are the two statements that must hold. \[ \boxed{\text{B, C}} \]
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