## +- vs Uncertainty

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

MKearney_4G
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:18 am

### +- vs Uncertainty

In most calculations we get a number like "32+-0.25 meters". When we calculate uncertainty, do we use 0.25 as deltaX or 0.5?

Christine Honda 2I
Posts: 116
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: +- vs Uncertainty

Use 0.5 for the uncertainty!

Posts: 102
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:18 am

### Re: +- vs Uncertainty

I believe the rule is to multiply the uncertainty by two

kevinolvera1j
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: +- vs Uncertainty

For a value like "32+-0.25 meters" you multiply the +- value by two to represent the total range in uncertainty of the value. The same logic applies if you are given the radius as a possible range of position for an electron to occupy. Since you want to represent the total range of uncertainty, you multiply the radius by two to find the total uncertainty; this value is also the diameter.

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