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Saturday 16 June 2012

pg38 QUANTUM MECHANICS (part 2 of 5)


Uncertainty in Quantum Mechanics

Uncertainty principle is an aspect of quantum mechanics.  It says the position or momentum (velocity) of a particle is undetermined until it is measured.  The uncertainty of position multiplies the uncertainty of momentum (velocity) equals or greater than the plank constant, h = 6.26 * 10 -27 erg.s.  That means, if you want to catch (measure) the particle within a smaller area (higher precision), the momentum (velocity) would be found (measured) to be within a larger deviation range.  And vice versa. 

Quantum mechanics applies to both microscopic and macroscopic objects.  Since the plank constant, h, is a very small value, the uncertainty of either position or momentum (velocity) of macroscopic objects (such as, a desk, a planet, etc.) is usually unnoticeable as compared to the size of the object.  But it is highly noticeable for microscopic objects, such as, electrons, protons, atoms, or molecules, because the uncertainty is much larger than the size of the particle.  There is no certainty of finding a particle, or an atom, at any definite position.  There is only a curve to express the probability of finding it at each position and time, and another curve to express the probability of finding it at each momentum (velocity) and energy value.  But for macroscopic objects, such as a desk, a star, etc. the probability curve almost coincides with the shape of the object, because the uncertainty is almost zero (as compared to its size).  Still, the object is not solid, but waves. 

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