Does anyone know what this symbol designates?

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The discussion centers around a symbol that resembles "much less than" but has a different meaning in the context of physics. It is associated with the uncertainty principle and is used in equations explaining electron behavior in the double slit experiment. Participants note that while the symbol appears similar to "much less than," its application in the text is distinct, and the author uses the standard "<<" symbol elsewhere. The conversation highlights the confusion surrounding the symbol's shape and its specific usage in Modern Physics. Overall, the symbol's interpretation is crucial for understanding its role in quantum mechanics.
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I've seem it meaning "a lot less than".
 
Not in this case, it is actually slightly different than the "much less than symbols". It was used in the formulation of an equation using the uncertainty principle, that explained why an electron "through the double slit experiment" changes it direction when measured.
 
shanepitts said:
Not in this case, it is actually slightly different than the "much less than symbols". It was used in the formulation of an equation using the uncertainty principle, that explained why an electron "through the double slit experiment" changes it direction when measured.

Please provide more context. Like provide a paragraph of text where this symbol is used. And a reference.
 
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From Modern Physics 3rd edition (Serway)
 
From the context, it looks like much less than. (Although the shape is rather odd for that)
 
Vanadium 50 said:
From the context, it looks like much less than. (Although the shape is rather odd for that)
I would assume the same. It's especially odd since the author uses the standard << elsewhere in the text.
 

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