## Minimum uncertainty problems

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

IsabelMurillo3K
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:51 pm

### Minimum uncertainty problems

On Sapling, there is a question that reads:
What is the minimum uncertainty in an electron's velocity if the position is known within 13 angstroms?
I was wondering if there is a difference between minimum uncertainty in terms of using a particular formula, or are we just supposed to use the regular Heisenberg Uncertainty Equation using the mass of an electron as a constant. Thanks in advance!

Izamary Marquez 2H
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:44 pm

### Re: Minimum uncertainty problems

You would just use the Heisenberg Uncertainty Equation! When it says "minimum uncertainty", just know you can assume the change in momentum X change in distance are EQUAL to h/4pi! In general however, you will just use the same formula (with the knowledge we have at the moment).

Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:41 pm

### Re: Minimum uncertainty problems

It is normally greater than or equal to, so I believe the minimum would just mean = and not >=.

Sandra Kim 2B
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:50 pm

### Re: Minimum uncertainty problems

By just using the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, it gives you the minimum uncertainty since the principle tells us that the atoms must be bigger than whatever you get for the answer after using the equation (since there is a physical limit to the minimum size that atoms can exist based on physical constants).