Using Radius vs Diameter

[Albert Chen 1G]

When given a problem that gives the radius of an atom or object and it asks for uncertainty in velocity, should you use the radius or diameter given? I guess the question would be is the uncertainty of position the radius or diameter?

[zackdouchy]

You should use the diameter because that is what an atom or particle will be confined to, not the radius. Hope this helps.

[Harsimer Bal 3K]

You should use the diameter of the atom for uncertainty in position because the electron is confined within the whole atom. Delta x is the range of position for the electron which is the entire length of the atom, not just the radius.

[Alexander Moroz 1B]

The diameter is the entire length of where the atom can go. The radius only represents part of the position in which the atom could be located. Uncertainty should take into account all possible positions - so the diameter should be used!

[Narin Maisha 2H]

To be able to find the uncertainty in velocity, you would have to use the diameter, because the radius only shows half the length that can be traveled, while the diameter represents the whole length that would travel.

[Vanessa Wiratmo 3k]

Hello,

You need to use the diameter when using the uncertainty equation. Delta X refers to all positions of the atom. The radius only accounts for half of the atoms position.

[Luke Hatch 1G]

When doing an uncertainty calculation, always remember that the change in position is similar to +-. Like if you know something is 10ft +- 1 foot the uncertainty is 2 feet. If the radius is 1 foot the overall distance that the atom could be found would be +- 1 foot which is 2 feet. Because of this, diameter should be used because it accounts for all locations in which the atom could be

[Diya Kar]

Is the cation formed from its original atom smaller in size/atomic radii/ionic radii than the anion formed from its original atom?

[Colby Irvine 2A]

An atomic radii represents the general vicinity of an electron to the nucleus, but the uncertainty equation is based on the whole spherical cloud of electrons in general. Using only the radius would solve for half of its predicted position.

[105743571]

You would use the diameter as that's the distance the electron is confined to moving within.

[Harrington Bubb3A]

Make sure to use the diameter and convert it to meters as well.

[arielle_cunanan3K]

You would need to use the diameter, especially if referring to the diameter of an atom because this is the total indeterminacy in location of an electron (it’s not defined to half the atom).

[Alex Luong 3H]

You should use the diameter unless the problem specifically states that the uncertainty is within the atom's radius.

[Srikar_Chintala_1E]

You should definitely use the diameter.

[daniellediem1k]

Definitely double the radius and use diameter! :)

[Katherine Li 1A]

Use diameter! Be careful about this in tests in case the radius is given. Diameter is important because it gives the total area in which the electron is confined.

[N Kanuri 2E]

Definitely use the diameter! Good luck!

[Raizel Ferrer 1H]

Use the diameter, because an electron is not only confined to half of its electron cloud. delta x in the Heisenberg indeterminacy is the change of position of the entire atom.

[Kavya Anand 2B]

Use the diameter, since the change in position for the electron refers to the whole area in which the electron is limited to.

[Jessica Arcos 2H]

You should use the diameter to find the uncertainty in the position. If you are given the radius, just make sure to multiply it by 2 to get the diameter.

[Bela Patel 2B]

You would have to use the diameter instead of the radius because the radius only represents half the length, rather than the diameters that shows the entire length it would have to travel.

[Katherine Li 1A]

Use diameter because that is a measure of the total box that the electron is confined to.