Uncertainty Equation for Big Objects

[805594676]

Can you use the uncertainty equation for bigger objects? If not, what's the reason why?

[Jasmine Reblando 3A]

I'm not sure if you can? The number you will obtain is quite insignificant as it is used to predict extremely small quanta. This is because the wavelength of marcoscopic objects are very different from those of small ones.

[Chance Lee 1G]

I believe you could use the uncertainty equation for big objects. The problem is that the uncertainty in velocity or position would be negligible considering that the mass of the large object is big.

[Nathalia Garibay 1D]

Technically, you can use the equation for large objects. However, when you use the equation for larger objects, it leaves less room for uncertainty. Smaller objects will always have more uncertainty.

[jackie-3L]

The Heisenberg uncertainty principal states: ∆xmv≥h/(4∏)

If the mass is large, the number will be insignificantly small. This is why the equation only applies to small objects such as electrons.

[PatrickV]

You can use the uncertainty equation for big objects but this value would be so small that it is insignificant and is not really needed.

[Lizzy Bulla 3K]

You can, it just doesn't really give you any information because at that point the uncertainty in momentum is negligible since the mass is so large

[Theo Teske 3B]

It's important to note that the Heisenberg uncertainty equation states that the product of the uncertainty in momentum (mass times velocity) and the uncertainty in position will be greater than or equal to h/(4pi). Any "large object" will likely have a mass that's much greater than h/(4pi), as this is a very small value. Thus, the Heisenberg uncertainty equation is essentially useless to apply to large objects.

[Vivian Kim 3F]

Hey! By looking at the equation, the bigger the mass, the smaller the uncertainty. So its not as applicable for bigger objects.

[Olivia Ghorai 1J]

Hi!

So the uncertainty formula is ∆x ∆v *m–≥ h/4π. If we rearrange this so that mass is on the right side we get:
∆v ≥ (h)/(4π*m*)

As you can see, mass is in the denominator, so as mass increases, the product of uncertainty in position and velocity decreases. This equation was created with the object in question being an electron, an incredibly small object with an incredibly fast velocity (relative to its size). When you try to use this equation for a bigger object that could never possibly move as fast as an electron (relative to its size), the mass dominates the equation and gives you a very very small number for the uncertainty in position and velocity. So you can use the equation for anything you want, your results just won't mean much for larger objects.

[Kelly_Luong_1F]

You could use the uncertainty equation but the value would be negligible because of the object's mass.

[405566265]

the uncertainty equation is more useful when dealing with smaller masses of subatomic particles, otherwise the result is negligible