## What is the equation used for?

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

Samantha Burmester 3H
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:23 am

### What is the equation used for?

Does this equation measure atoms or electrons? OR does it measure light’s wavelengths?

Isabel Nakoud 4D
Posts: 101
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:27 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

It measures the uncertainty of the position or momentum of electrons

KatrinaPho_2I
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

I believe that my TA told us that for this equation, we mostly just need to understand the concept behind it and understand that the uncertainty exists because of the limits of our technology today. I would worry less about using the equation to actually solve any mathematical problems.

Sierra Cheslick 2B
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:27 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

The equation is used to show that we can never know the exact position of an electron, and that the certainty of the momentum and the location are inversely related. For example, if the location of an electron is known without much uncertainty, than the momentum of the electron is only known with lots of uncertainty and vice versa.

SydBenedict2H
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

This relates to the uncertainty regarding electrons. The more we know concerning an electrons position, the less we know about its momentum and vice versa. The two things exhibit an inverse relationship toward each other. My TA made it seem like we more so had to undderstand the concepts than we had to actually utilize and implement the equation itself.

Grace Diaz 3F
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:24 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

Heisenberg's equation measures the uncertainty in the position and momentum. When conducting an experiment, trying to measure the position of an electron can disrupt the outcome of the velocity, thus affecting momentum.

Manas Jinka
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:26 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

The equation is used to determine the uncertainty in position and momentum since we can't determine the exact position of an electron like we can normal everyday objects like a baseball.

Lisa Werner 2F
Posts: 72
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:17 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

More specifically, it determines the MINIMUM uncertainty of the position.

shaunajava2e
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:26 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

the equation is used to calculate the range in momentum or position of the electron as both cannot be calculated accurately at the same time. due to the way we carry out the experiment to calculate for position and momentum, we can not be certain of the values of one.

Sam Kelly 1K
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am

### Re: What is the equation used for?

So should we expect to have to use this equation on the test/midterm/final? Or more just understand the concept?