## Units for Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation

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

David Chibukhchian 2G
Posts: 153
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:50 pm

### Units for Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation

Hey guys, I had a question regarding the units for the Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation. I know for the De Broglie Equation, we have to make sure mass and velocity are in kg and meters/second (respectively). However, I wanted to make sure that this was also the case for the Heisenberg Principle. Sometimes the units confuse me a bit, so I just wanted to make sure that you always have to use kg and m/s for this formula as well.

Benjamin Chen 1H
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### Re: Units for Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation

Yes, you're correct.

kilogram x meter/sec x meter = Joule x sec

sophie esherick 3H
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### Re: Units for Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation

For Heisenbergs Indeterminacy principle, I'm pretty sure the units are the same as for the De Broglie equation. So you would use the mass in kg and the velocity in m/s.

Anna Yakura 2F
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### Re: Units for Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation

As a general rule of thumb you should use SI units (so kg and m/s). A lot of the times you're asked to find the indeterminancy of velocity or position of an electron -- so you would use the mass listed on the equation sheet (9.11 X 10^-31 kg).

SamayaJoshi1A
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### Re: Units for Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation

Yes- for me it is generally easier to look at the units and convert them to meters per second and SI units before I begin the problem. Something that always catches me is the meters per hour- make sure it is in seconds!

Inderpal Singh 2L
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### Re: Units for Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation

Yes, I believe they are the same thing. Use kg for mass and m/s for velocity. Make sure to convert if not! :)

David Chibukhchian 2G
Posts: 153
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:50 pm

### Re: Units for Heisenberg Indeterminacy Equation

That definitely makes sense! I always miss the per hour thing too haha. But now I'll definitely make sure that the units are always kg and m/s when doing problems with Heisenberg's Principle. Thank you guys!