The Heisenberg Uncertainty principle states that ΔxΔp > h/4π. What is represented by the terms Δx, and Δp? What can we say about p if the precise value of x is known? What does this mean for experimental results.

  1. Δx and Δp represent the uncertainty in position and the uncertainty in momentum respectively.
  2. If x is known absolutely then p cannot be known at all.
  3. This means that the precise position and momentum of a particle cannot be known at the same time.
DH

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Is the excitation and de-excitation of an electron from the ground state (of an atom) due to the collision of another particle (e.g. electron) an elastic collision or an inelastic collision.


How does a potential divider work?


What is the difference between a Scalar and a Vector?


If you have 1.33g of oxygen (Mr = 32) in a container of volume 1000cm^3 at atmospheric pressure (101.3*10^3 Pa), what is the temperature of the gas in Celsius? R=8.314