This tag is for Heisenberg quantum mechanical uncertainty principle.
0
votes
0answers
19 views
Does quantum mechanics depend solely on electromagnetic waves? [duplicate]
I am beginning to learn quantum mechanics. Since determining the position of an object involves probing by electromagnetic waves and since i have read a simple derivation of Heisenberg's uncertainty ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Uncertainty-principle and the Maxwell formalism of electromagnetic waves
An electromagnetic wave (like a propagating photon) is known to carry it's electric and magnetic field-vectors perpendicular and each depending on the differential change of the other thus "creating" ...
3
votes
1answer
117 views
Phase space in quantum mechanics and Heisenberg uncertainty principle
In my book about quantum mechanics they give a derivation that for one particle an area of $h$ in $2D$ phase space contains exactly one quantum mechanical state.
In my book about statistical physics ...
3
votes
3answers
98 views
Reaching the speed of light via quantum mechanical uncertainty?
Suppose you accelerate a body to very near the speed of light $c$ where $v = c - \epsilon$. Although this would take an enormous energy, is it possible the last arbitrarily small velocity needed -- ...
3
votes
1answer
33 views
Connection between a simple matter wave and Heisenberg's uncertainty relation
When looking at the wave function of a particle, I usually prefer to write
$$
\Psi(x,t) = A \exp(i(kx - \omega t))
$$
since it reminds me of classical waves for which I have an intuition ($k$ ...
4
votes
1answer
72 views
Simple uncertaintly calculation of the center coordinates of a Landau Level
I am reading the following review paper on the Quantum Hall Effect. I am sorry for the extremely stupid question, but I have been stuck on this very easy equation for long.
In equation 2.39, the ...
-1
votes
1answer
44 views
Heisenberg's uncertainty and $0 K$ temperature
when a body is subjected to $0 K$ temperature, it becomes rigid. hence if we see in terms of quantum the lattice vibration decreases, resulting in no change in the direction of the Random velocity, ...
2
votes
3answers
490 views
Observation of violation of the uncertainty principle?
I stumbled upon this piece of news in the BBC's website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19489385, discussing this paper
http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v109/i10/e100404, which reports ...
4
votes
2answers
97 views
Do viruses suffer from quantum de-localization?
Consider some microscopic life form. It should obviously be localized in space, in the quantum-mechanical sense, if it is treated as a single particle (though it is composite). If its characteristic ...
1
vote
0answers
79 views
General physics question involving Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
Question:
An unstable particle produced in a high-energy collision is measured to have an energy of $483\ \mathrm{MeV}$ and an uncertainty in energy of $84\ \mathrm{keV}$. Use the Heisenberg ...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
Uncertainty Principle and Energy range for an electron in an atom
I have the following exercise:
Use Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and the relation $\Delta u = \sqrt{\langle u^2 \rangle - \langle u \rangle^2}$ to find the range of energy an electron has in an ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views
Uncertainty and Thermodynamics
Dilemma
The uncertainty principle of energy and the 2nd law of thermodynamics don't add up : the uncertainty principle of energy says that
$\Delta \tau \cdot \Delta E \ge \frac{h}{4\pi} = ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Why uncertainity is minimum for coherent states?
While reading for quantum damped harmonic oscillator, I came across coherent states, and I asked my prof about them and he said me it is the state at which $\Delta x\Delta y$ is minimum. I didn't ...
1
vote
3answers
334 views
How Uncertainty Principle, Vacumm fluctuations and Energy Conservation coexist in QFT?
Recently I had a debate about the uncertainty principle in QFT that made me even more confused..
Because we use Furrier transforms in QFT we should have an analogue to the usual Heisenberg ...
2
votes
4answers
180 views
Are photons deterministic?
I propose the following scenario:
At $t=0$, a photon is emitted from a star. At $t=n$, said photon is received and interpreted by some detector.
My question is whether or not it is accurate to say ...
0
votes
1answer
115 views
Exploiting the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle as a means to communicate
It seems as though I've come across a rather unusual conclusion that could either simply be a misinterpretation or a contradictory discovery. I seem to have found a way to utilize the Heisenberg ...
0
votes
2answers
73 views
About Heisenberg uncertainty principle [duplicate]
What would happen if someone invented a way to measure both position and momentum precisely? If it is impossible why?
0
votes
3answers
111 views
Couldn't we measure electrons with good enough technology? [duplicate]
I am a bit confused about the Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle - just read about it in How to Teach Physics to Your Dog, by Chad Orzel. He states that the reason electrons can't be measured is ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Velocity of measurement
As per to Heisenberg uncertainty we will not be able to calculate the position and momentum at same instant because by the time we calculate the next of the one, it changes (i.e.) the changes are very ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Experimental perspective in understanding the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
I need to confirm whether or not I understand Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. So the crucial thing is that you need an "ensemble" of measurements:
$$\delta x \delta p \ge \frac{\hbar}{2}.$$
If I ...
5
votes
2answers
321 views
The Uncertainty Principle and Black Holes
What are the consequences of applying the uncertainty principle to black holes?
Does the uncertainty principle need to be modified in the context of a black hole and if so what are the implications ...
4
votes
6answers
306 views
Why is Heisenberg's uncertainty principle not an experimental error since it is the error created by photons striking on elementary particles?
Why is Heisenberg's uncertainty principle not an experimental error since it is the error created by photons striking on elementary particles?
8
votes
5answers
563 views
Isn't the uncertainty principle just non-fundamental limitations in our current technology that could be removed in a more advanced civilization?
From what I understand, the uncertainty principle states that there is a fundamental natural limit to how accurately we can measure velocity and momentum at the same time. It's not a limit on ...
2
votes
3answers
227 views
Why can't we use entanglement to defy Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle?
In principle, it is possible to entangle any property of two particles, including speed and momentum. Surely then, this could be used to defy the Uncertainty Principle, which states that the momentum ...
5
votes
1answer
208 views
Is there any uncertainty between mass and proper length or time?
I was trying to naively draw a parallel between special relativity and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. I try to understand uncertainty principle as a consequence of 4-position and 4-momentum ...
1
vote
1answer
120 views
Absolute zero and Heisenberg uncertainty principle
I got to read Feynman vol I and there was written that at absolute zero, molecular motion doesn't cease at all, because if so happens, we will be able to make precise determination of position and ...
5
votes
3answers
175 views
Does a ball thrown in the air really stop at its apex, and if it does, wouldn't that violate the uncertainty principle?
When throwing a ball straight up, most experts say that it momentarily comes to a stop at its apex before its return fall. If it stops, wouldn't we know its velocity and position and wouldn't this ...
1
vote
3answers
157 views
Do electrons have definite and single value of momentum and position?
Do electrons (individually) have definite and single value of momentum and position or do they simultaneously have multiple position (a spread) at a time?
In other words, according to the uncertainty ...
7
votes
2answers
574 views
Why is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle stated the way it is?
I spent a long time being confused by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle in my quantum chemistry class.
It is frequently stated that the "position and momentum of a particle cannot be ...
3
votes
1answer
183 views
In QM, does random data “come from anywhere”? Also, what are the properties of the data?
I have only taken a basic quantum mechanics course (this book, so you know where I'm coming from), but I've been wondering about something.
If we set up a quantum system in a known state and take a ...
4
votes
2answers
252 views
Heisenberg uncertainty principle derivation - unexplained factor of $4 \sigma_k^2$ in Gaussian
I did a Fourier transform of a gaussian function $\scriptsize \mathcal{G}(k) = A \exp\left[-\frac{(k-k_0)^2}{2 {\sigma_k}^2}\right]$
$$
\scriptsize
\begin{split}
\mathcal{F}(x) &= ...
6
votes
3answers
177 views
Is it possible for $\Delta x$ ($\sigma_x$) of any free particle wave packet to be decreasing at any time?
Consider any wave packet describing a free particle (so no potential or other forces acting on it). Then it can be shown that $\Delta p$ does not change in time. However, my question is what happens ...
0
votes
1answer
321 views
Gaussian wave packet
At our QM intro our professor said that we derive uncertainty principle using the integral of plane waves $\psi = \psi_0(k) e^{i(kx - \omega t)}$ over wave numbers $k$. We do it at $t=0$ hence $\psi = ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Proof of Canonical Commutation Relation (CCR)
I am not sure how $QP-PQ =i\hbar$ where $P$ represent momentum and $Q$ represent position. $Q$ and $P$ are matrices. The question would be, how can $Q$ and $P$ be formulated as a matrix? Also, what is ...
9
votes
2answers
205 views
Is the uncertainty principle just saying something about what an observer can know or is it a fundamental property of nature?
I ask this question because I have read two different quotes on the uncertainty principle that don't seem to match very well. There are similar questions around here but I would like an explanation ...
4
votes
5answers
294 views
What is $\Delta t$ in the time-energy uncertainty principle?
In non-relativistic QM, the $\Delta E$ in the time-energy uncertainty principle is the limiting standard deviation of the set of energy measurements of $n$ identically prepared systems as $n$ goes to ...
3
votes
2answers
342 views
Calculating lifetime of a pi meson via Heisenberg uncertainty relationship?
This is a problem from my textbook:
"A proton or neutron sometimes 'violates' conservation of energy by emitting and then reabsorbing a pi meson, which has a mass 135MeV/$c^2$. This is possible as ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Quantum entanglement, quantum measurement, spin and position
By uncertainty principle, we know that determining particle's position at some location is limited. So we cannot determine the position of a particle at some exact point location as this would make ...
5
votes
6answers
625 views
What constitutes an observation/measurement in QM?
Fundamental notions of QM have to do with observation, a major example being The Uncertainty Principle.
What is the technical definition of an observation/measurement?
If I look at a QM system, it ...
3
votes
1answer
318 views
Physical Significance of Fourier Transform and Uncertainty Relationships
What is the physical significance of a fourier transform?
I am interested in knowing exactly how it works when crossing over from momentum space to co ordinate space and also how we arrive at the ...
1
vote
1answer
152 views
Uncertainty relation and Energy-Position interference
How would you prove that the simultaneous measurements of position and energy are not subject to interference?
I was thinking in calculate the commutation relation between $x$ and $H$ (Because $\Delta ...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
Semiconductors and localization of the electrons
When looking at the band diagram of a semi-conductor, direct conclusion of the invariance under discrete translations, for a filled state with an electron, one does know precisely it's momentum, so my ...
2
votes
1answer
156 views
Why shouldn't the uncertainty principle be interpreted as an observer effect?
The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle suggests that the more precisely the position of a particle is measured, the less precisely its momentum can be known, and vice versa.
$$\sigma_x \sigma_p \geq ...
4
votes
2answers
170 views
How does QM allow imaging of individual electron orbitals?
Question: Why does the uncertainty principle allow probing of characteristics specific to the electron orbital distribution? If you measure an electron's position/momentum, then after you measure ...
1
vote
2answers
165 views
Showing that position times momentum and energy times time have the same dimensions
I've been asked to show that both the position-momentum uncertainty principle and the energy-time uncertainty principle have the same units.
I've never see a question of this type, so am I allowed to ...
1
vote
1answer
462 views
Application of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
I've the following application of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
If a beam of particles in localised in the $x$-direction by a long slit, what is the uncertainty in position?
Firstly, I ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle scientific proof
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle states that: if the x-component of the momentum of a particle is measured with an uncertainty
$$\Delta \vec p_x$$
then its x-position cannot, at same time, be ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
reference for wavepackets and uncertainty relation
Can someone suggest a reference for a rigorous proof(from harmonic analysis) that for any wavepacket other than the gaussian, we have an inequality ie \delta x \delta k > 1
7
votes
2answers
249 views
Was uncertainty principle inferred by Fourier analysis?
I would like to know: did Heisenberg chance upon his Uncertainty Principle by performing Fourier analysis of wavepackets, after assuming that electrons can be treated as wavepackets?
19
votes
2answers
540 views
Theoretical penetration limit for evanescent waves
Consider a problem in classical electrodynamics, when a monochromatic beam experiences total internal refraction when traveling from a medium with $n>1$ to a medium with refractive index $1$ - see ...
