Derivation of the energy-time uncertainty relation

Donald H. Kobe and V. C. Aguilera-Navarro
Phys. Rev. A 50, 933 – Published 1 August 1994
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Abstract

A derivation from first principles is given of the energy-time uncertainty relation in quantum mechanics. A canonical transformation is made in classical mechanics to a new canonical momentum, which is energy E, and a new canonical coordinate T, which is called tempus, conjugate to the energy. Tempus T, the canonical coordinate conjugate to the energy, is conceptually different from the time t in which the system evolves. The Poisson bracket is a canonical invariant, so that energy and tempus satisfy the same Poisson bracket as do p and q. When the system is quantized, we find the energy-time uncertainty relation ΔEΔT≥ħ/2. For a conservative system the average of the tempus operator T^ is the time t plus a constant. For a free particle and a particle acted on by a constant force, the tempus operators are constructed explicitly, and the energy-time uncertainty relation is explicitly verified.

  • Received 28 June 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.50.933

©1994 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Donald H. Kobe and V. C. Aguilera-Navarro

  • Department of Physics, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76203-5368

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Issue

Vol. 50, Iss. 2 — August 1994

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