CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

If all matter has wave like properties, why does the uncertainty principle only apply to subatomic particles?

Only at the subatomic level do outside forces, such as those incurred by measurement (for example, with a light to start time) affect the recording of the data. Because they are so small, and can be easy influenced by everything.

All matter is affected by outside forces. However, bigger objects, such as baseballs, are not as affected by the impact of a photon as are smaller objects, such as electrons. Therefore, it is easier to see the impact and therefore the uncertainty on smaller objects, like subatomic particles, because the velocities are closer in number.

Certain forces have more of an influence on subatomic particles than a larger object. For example, if a photon were to hit both an electron and a basketball, the impact of the photon would greatly influence an electron and would have basically no effect on the basketball. The uncertainties of large objects are too small to be significant, while the uncertainties of subatomic particles are large.

I agree with Ashin_Jose_1I the large particles tend to have no noticeable effect and with small particles, there is a huge uncertainty because its so small any little thing can have a huge impact on it.

At the subatomic level, particles are influenced in a different manner than with classical mechanics. For example, at this small scale, photons would interfere with the electrons, whereas a much larger object such as a cup would not be affected by a photon at all.