When to use

[Jocelynn Franco 1L]

The example we got in class for Heisenberg's Equation was the photon and electron.
When would we be using Heisenberg's equation on like a quiz or midterm and how to do we know to use it?

[Jayden Arevalo 2B]

Hi Jocelynn, Heisenburg's uncertainty principle (equation) states that there is a limit on the accuracy to which the momentum and position of a particle can be known simultaneously. With this in mind, it helps us find out the indeterminacy of momentum or the position. Problems will often ask, "What is the minimum uncertainty?", this is where Heisenburg's equation would be utilized.

[Anna Dai-Liu 3B]

To add on - because the equation can help you to derive change in momentum, it's also possible that a problem, like some of the ones in the textbook, might ask you to find the change in velocity (based on the idea that p = mv).

[Lauren Brotman 2F]

Generally if the problem involves uncertainty in position, velocity, or momentum you will be using the Heisenberg equation. Also, anything like “confined to this diameter” can be interpreted as uncertainty in position. Number 18 and 19 from the achieve homework are also some examples!

[005683006]

To find the uncertainty, you have to look at the range of the velocity values, and then multiply it by the mass of the object, in order to find the momentum. Then you substitute these values in.

[Kayla Arellano 1K]

The example we got in class for Heisenberg's Equation was the photon and electron.
When would we be using Heisenberg's equation on like a quiz or midterm and how to do we know to use it?

We would use the Heisenberg equation when there is uncertainty in a particle's position or momentum. For example, if we were asked to find the "minimum uncertainty in speed," we would use this equation.

[Tania Peymany 1A]

Yes, so whenever you see a question that involves the term "uncertainty" or involves a certain diameter or range of space then you will use the Heisenberg equation to solve for a particular variable. The variable you are going to solve for depends on the other variables given.

[Marie Khijniak 2E]

Hi!
You will usually find that you will need to use the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, when you need to calculate the maximum uncertainty of either momentum or position, as those are the two variables involved in the equation. In addition, if a problem asks for the uncertainty of the velocity of an electron, you will also need to use Heisenberg’s equation, remembering that the uncertainty of momentum = mass x uncertainty in velocity of an electron.
Hope this helps! :)

[Nicole Ton 3C]

Most of the time, this equation is used in questions that ask for the minimum uncertainty of momentum, position, or velocity. When using the Heisenberg indeterminacy equation in these cases, for uncertainty of momentum we solve for delta p, for uncertainty of position we solve for delta x, and for uncertainty of velocity, we turn delta p into m times delta v, and solve for delta v (since momentum is equal to mass times velocity).