## Uncertainty in Position Format

$\Delta p \Delta x\geq \frac{h}{4\pi }$

KMcFarland_2L
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:52 pm

### Uncertainty in Position Format

If the problem says the uncertainty in position was +/- a value, would we use the positive form of the value or the negative form of the value to find the uncertainty in momentum?

Samantha Pedersen 2K
Posts: 127
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:21 am
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### Re: Uncertainty in Position Format

We would actually use the sum of the absolute value of the positive and negative forms of the number. For example, if the problem says the uncertainty in position is +/- 5 meters, then you would plug in 10 meters for the uncertainty in position. This is because the position can be anywhere within 5 meters above the reference point and 5 meters below the reference point, so the uncertainty in position spans a range of 10 meters.

Kimiya Aframian IB
Posts: 120
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:34 pm

### Re: Uncertainty in Position Format

KMcFarland_1E wrote:If the problem says the uncertainty in position was +/- a value, would we use the positive form of the value or the negative form of the value to find the uncertainty in momentum?

I think it would be the absolute value because if we are trying to find the room for error, it would be by a certain numerical value, not necessarily a positive number. What I mean is that the difference between 9 and 3 is 6 and the difference between 3 and 9 is still 6. Hope this hepls.