## position units

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

905290504
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### position units

if the problem gives an uncertainty of position in nm should I convert to m, or vice versa? thanks!

Jaclyn Dang 3B
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### Re: position units

I keep it in m since velocity is m/s. Hope this answers your question

Cecilia Cisneros 1F
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### Re: position units

I convert to m to be consistent with the velocity (m/s) and momentum (kg*m/s). I think that is always the best way to go! So long as all your units match up you should be good to go.

Racquel Fox 2I
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### Re: position units

I think you would always convert nm to m unless it's specified otherwise.

aashmi_agrawal_3d
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### Re: position units

You should covert to meters as that is the SI unit and will be consistent with the other measurements.

Helena Hu 3E
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### Re: position units

Generally speaking, your answer should always follow SI units (meters, grams, etc.) unless it is specified to be converted to other units. Even then, you should be converting anything that is not the correct SI units, and then converting to the specified units (Angstrom, kg, nm, etc.) at the very end once you find your answers.

Massimo_Capozza_1G
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### Re: position units

You can't use the uncertainty equation to find mass or velocity, correct? Do you have to use wavelength=h/p?

Binyu You
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### Re: position units

I would like to keep it in meters because velocity's unit is m/s. Keeping it consistent to meters it more convenient and ensures you to make less mistakes.

Kristina Krivenko 3I
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### Re: position units

I think it's best to convert it to meters, so it is consistent with units of velocity (m/s) and momentum (kg*m/s) and you don't make mistakes when calculating the final answer. Then, if the problem asks you to give your final answer in nm, just convert it. Hope it helps :)

Malakai Espinosa 3E
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### Re: position units

since we have momentum in the uncertainty equation, we must use meters. This is because momentum uses velocity with SI units m/s. It is always just easier to convert nm to m.

Ariel Guan 1H
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### Re: position units

You would convert to meters! Remember that SI Units for length is in m, so you should always use meters to stay consistent

Hailey Kang 2K
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### Re: position units

Hi!

While you're solving the problem, you should always convert to meters since it is an SI unit. Sometimes the question will ask for the wavelength in other units like nm, but that should only be converted at the very end.

Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:51 pm

### Re: position units

I would always make sure to first convert nm or pm to m, in order to stay consistent with the units used in the uncertainty equation (m/s) when solving for velocity. Unless specified otherwise, convert to m.

Brenda Silva 1B
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### Re: position units

It would be best to convert nm to m because the units for velocity are m/s therefore you would have the same units when solving the problems.

AnjikaFriedman-Jha2D
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### Re: position units

For the uncertainty principle, you should use meters and kilograms because this allows for the appropriate unit cancellation

Ryan_Kien_1L
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### Re: position units

I like to convert things into SI units as soon as possible, so I don't forget later.

Gigi Elizarraras 2C
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### Re: position units

I would for sure convert nm to m whenever you have to plug in values to equations. Because meters is an SI unit you must use it in equations to make sure of unit consistency:)

Charlie Russell 2L
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Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:01 pm

### Re: position units

Since m is the SI unit, ALWAYS convert to the SI unit unless the problem asks for a different unit.

Margaret Xu 3C
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Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:36 pm

### Re: position units

For the Heisenberg uncertainty equation, I believe you always use meters in order to keep the units consistent (since velocity is also written in meters/sec). This way they'll cancel out when calculating.

Britney Tran IJ
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Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:18 am

### Re: position units

I would keep it in m so that it cancels out with velocity(m/s)