@@ -95,17 +95,14 @@ between them, $\langle{\psi}|{\phi}\rangle$, as follows.
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@@ -95,17 +95,14 @@ between them, $\langle{\psi}|{\phi}\rangle$, as follows.
The inner product in quantum mechanics is the analog of the usual scalar product that one encounters in vector spaces, and which we reviewed in the previous lecture. As in usual vector spaces, the inner product of two state vectors is a *scalar* and in this case a complex number in general.
The inner product in quantum mechanics is the analog of the usual scalar product that one encounters in vector spaces, and which we reviewed in the previous lecture. As in usual vector spaces, the inner product of two state vectors is a *scalar* and in this case a complex number in general.
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!!! tip "Meaning of the inner product in quantum mechanics"
1. The value of the inner product $\langle{\psi}|{\phi}\rangle$ indicates the **probability amplitude** (not the probability) of measuring a system, which characterised by the state $|{\phi}\rangle$, to be in the state $|{\psi}\rangle$.
1. The value of the inner product $\langle{\psi}|{\phi}\rangle$ indicates the **probability amplitude** (not the probability) of measuring a system, which characterised by the state $|{\phi}\rangle$, to be in the state $|{\psi}\rangle$.
2. This inner product can also be understood as measuring the **overlap** between the state vectors $|{\psi}\rangle$ and $|{\phi}\rangle$.
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3. Then the **probability of observing the system to be in the state $|\psi\rangle$** given that it is in the state $|\phi\rangle$ will be given by $$|\langle \psi | \phi \rangle|^2$$. Since the latter quantity is a probability, we know that it should satisfy the condition that
2. This inner product can also be understood as measuring the **overlap** between the state vectors $|{\psi}\rangle$ and $|{\phi}\rangle$.
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3. Then the **probability of observing the system to be in the state $|\psi\rangle$** given that it is in the state $|\phi\rangle$ will be given by $$|\langle \psi | \phi \rangle|^2$$.
Since the latter quantity is a probability, we know that it should satisfy the condition that