Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2022/ii/paper-3/33a/b/solution

Write
Taking the stated double-commutator identity between the two eigenstates gives, if the matrix element is nonzero,
For nonnegative integers , this equation has precisely the possibilities
Indeed, forces , while for unequal values the difference
satisfies the equation only when its first factor has magnitude one.
Under parity, , while a hydrogen state of orbital angular momentum has parity . Therefore a nonzero matrix element requires
so and must have opposite parity. This excludes every case , including . Combining the results gives

New to topics? Read the docs here!