Does the uncertainty principle apply to all particles?

ldv1452 · Sep 30, 2010

Does the uncertainty principle apply only to electrons or other particles as well?

DrChinese · Sep 30, 2010

ldv1452 said:

Does the uncertainty principle apply only to electrons or other particles as well?

It applies to any elementary particle, and actually to larger objects too (although the effect is less noticable in most cases). Generally the effect is inversely proportional to the number of elementary particles in atoms and molecules. In something the size of a chair, for example, it is almost meaningless. But in a buckyball, much more so. And in an electron or photon, it is significant.

ldv1452 · Sep 30, 2010

DrChinese said:

It applies to any elementary particle, and actually to larger objects too (although the effect is less noticable in most cases). Generally the effect is inversely proportional to the number of elementary particles in atoms and molecules. In something the size of a chair, for example, it is almost meaningless. But in a buckyball, much more so. And in an electron or photon, it is significant.

Very well explained. Thank you.

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