Quantum Physics: Orbital Angular Momentum

This lecture introduces the concept of orbital angular momentum in quantum physics, focusing on the mathematical details of finding the eigenfunctions in spherical coordinates. The instructor demonstrates the determination of Legendre functions associated with spherical harmonics, emphasizing their normalization conditions and orthogonality. The lecture explores the significance of spherical harmonics in various applications, such as electromagnetism, showcasing their role in decomposing functions in three dimensions. The discussion concludes with a visual representation of spherical harmonics and highlights the restrictions on the values of L and M. The instructor provides insights into the complexity and conceptual importance of understanding orbital angular momentum in quantum physics.