- #1
mat8845
- 3
- 0
Hi there,
So here's my assignment:
''The velocity of a positron is measured to be: vx=(4.00±0.18)*105 m/s, vy=(0.34±0.12)*105 m/s, vz=(1.41±0.08)*105 m/s. Within what minimum volume was the positron located at the moment the measurement was carried out?''
I think I'm not wrong when I say that the uncertainty principle applies in every direction. Since the velocities are not relativistic, the simple equation should be:
Δx=hbar/(2*m*Δvx)
The same equation is used for Δy and Δz, and we only take the volume of the ''uncertainty box'' V=ΔxΔyΔz.
With the positron having a mass of 9.109*10-31kg, that gives me V=1.12*10-25 m3. But I know the right answer is 1.4*10-26 m3.
Even with the relativistic equations, I get the same wrong answer.
So what am I doing wrong? Note that I never used the values of the velocities. Should I use them somewhere?
Thank you for your time.
So here's my assignment:
''The velocity of a positron is measured to be: vx=(4.00±0.18)*105 m/s, vy=(0.34±0.12)*105 m/s, vz=(1.41±0.08)*105 m/s. Within what minimum volume was the positron located at the moment the measurement was carried out?''
I think I'm not wrong when I say that the uncertainty principle applies in every direction. Since the velocities are not relativistic, the simple equation should be:
Δx=hbar/(2*m*Δvx)
The same equation is used for Δy and Δz, and we only take the volume of the ''uncertainty box'' V=ΔxΔyΔz.
With the positron having a mass of 9.109*10-31kg, that gives me V=1.12*10-25 m3. But I know the right answer is 1.4*10-26 m3.
Even with the relativistic equations, I get the same wrong answer.
So what am I doing wrong? Note that I never used the values of the velocities. Should I use them somewhere?
Thank you for your time.