An elementary derivation of the quantum virial theorem from Hellmann-Feynman theorem
Abstract
A simple proof of the quantum virial theorem that can be used in undergraduate courses is given. The proof proceeds by first showing that the energy eigenvalues of a Hamiltonian remain invariant under a scale transformation. Then invoking the Hellmann-Feynman theorem produces the final statement of the virial theorem.
- Publication:
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European Journal of Physics
- Pub Date:
- July 2016
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2016EJPh...37d5405I