Example 1B.5 in textbook


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Guzman_1J
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Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:16 am

Example 1B.5 in textbook

Postby Guzman_1J » Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:00 pm

For Example 1B.5 in textbook Using the uncertainty principle, when grams and mm/s is being converted into SI units they are multiplied by 2 once they have been converted but the textbook does not explain why. Does anybody understand this problem? I know how we are supposed to use the equation, it's just multiplying mass and speed by two once they have been converted to the right SI units that I don't understand.

Rachel Yu 1G
Posts: 113
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:15 am

Re: Example 1B.5 in textbook

Postby Rachel Yu 1G » Mon Oct 28, 2019 9:41 pm

The two comes from the given equation ΔpΔx = 1/2h which is converted into Δx = h/2mΔv. The textbook then plugs in the given values to the latter equation, which is where the 2 comes from. While the mass (m) and uncertainty in speed (Δv) values are converted within the equation, the 2 value remains there because it is part of the plugged-in the equation. Basically, the 2 has nothing to do with conversion, it is just part of the given equation. I also found it weird that the textbook didn't convert the values to SI units before plugging the values in.


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