Question

Explain the importance and conceptual idea behind Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. What would a speed of 6x10^6 m/s +/- 1% mean?

Answer 1

Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is a theory behind certain aspects of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics refers to the study of functioning of subatomic particles. The principle states that the position and momentum of an electron cannot be precisely determined at the same time.

To determine position of an electron, let us say, we use a light which carries photon with high momentum. This enables the determination of a somewhat accurate location of the electron. But due to high momentum of the photon it would disturb the velocity of the electron and hence the momentum of the electron cannot be determined accurately. The opposite is true for the other case when momentum is accurately determined and the position is not.

The equation is given as ∆x*m∆v >=h/4*pi

The uncertainty in velocity is 1% = 0.01 m/s

∆v = 6*10^6* 0.01 = 6*10^4 m/s

∆x >= 6.626*10^-34/4*pi*9.1*10^-31*6*10^4

∆x>= 1nm

The uncertainty in velocity is very less. Hence uncertainty in momentum would be large.