Heisenberg's Indeterminacy Equation

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charlotte_jacobs_4I
Posts: 63
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:29 am

Heisenberg's Indeterminacy Equation

For Heisenberg's Indeterminacy Equation we have to find either delta p or delta v. What are the definitions of delta p and delta v so i know which variable a given value falls under? This value would then be placed in the equation and solved.

Sydney To 1D
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:15 am

Re: Heisenberg's Indeterminacy Equation

$\Delta p$ represents the uncertainty in momentum. Linear momentum is the product of mass and speed. Therefore, $\Delta p= m\Delta v$, where $\Delta v$ is the uncertainty in the speed and m is the mass.

Elisa Bass 4L
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:23 am

Re: Heisenberg's Indeterminacy Equation

Delta p is the uncertainty in the momentum of the electron or whatever is being studied, with units kg*m*s^-1. Delta v is the uncertainty of the velocity of the object being studied, with units m*s^-1. Delta v is related to delta p by the equation delta p=mass times delta v.
Also the values of delta p and delta v are not the values of the actual momentum and velocity respectively, but just the uncertainties of each.

Hailey Boehm 2H
Posts: 71
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:24 am

Re: Heisenberg's Indeterminacy Equation

Just to elaborate on what others have said, delta p and delta v are the parameters of their respective values. An example in class that Mr Lavelle gave that helped me understand was the example of V = 10 m.s-1 +/- 1. The delta v for this value is 2 because the possible range in which the velocity could fall in is between 9m.s-1 and 11m.s-1. Always make sure to check the value is reasonable before you plug it into the equation/ don't just plug and chug until you have the right values.