Heisenburg Uncertainty Principle - Seems like an easy question?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around applying the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to calculate the minimum uncertainty in velocity for a boulder, proton, and electron, given a specific uncertainty in position. The calculations yielded results of 7.36*10^-28 m/s for the boulder, 396.7 m/s for the proton, and 7.28*10^5 m/s for the electron. There is a mention of a potential error due to the precision of the calculations, particularly regarding significant digits. The more precise form of the uncertainty principle is noted, which includes a factor of 1/4 pi that could affect the results. The user seeks clarification on their calculations and the importance of significant digits in obtaining correct answers.
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Heisenburg Uncertainty Principle - Seems like an easy question??

Homework Statement


The position of a 900 kg boulder's center of mass has been determined to within an uncertainty of 1.0 nm. (a) What is the minimum uncertainty in the boulder's velocity? (b) Repeat the calculation, but for a proton with the same uncertainty in position. (c) Repeat the calculation, but for an electron with the same uncertainty in position.


Homework Equations


Δx*Δp ~ h
Assuming that there is no uncertainty in the measurement of mass,
Δx*mΔv = h
where Δv is the uncertainty in the measurement of velocity.
Δv = h / Δx *m

h = 6.6256 *10^-34 J-s
m = 900 kg for boulder
mp = 1.6725*10^-27 kg for proton
me = 9.1*10^-31 kg for electron.
Δx = 1.0*10^-9 m


The Attempt at a Solution


I did each of these the same way. Plugged in the variables using this equation:
Δv = h / (Δx *m)
The answers I got are:
a. 7.36*10^-28 m/s
b. 396.7 m/s
c. 7.28*10^5 m/s

I'm hoping I've made a silly error somewhere, but I've been unable to find it.
 
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The more precise form of the HUP is:
\Delta x \Delta p \ge \frac{\hbar}{2}
(wikipedia:Plank's Constant)
That will give you a factor of 1/4 pi in your answers.
 


What makes you think you've made an error?
 


Thanks for the help.
I used the link from jambaugh and that equation helped. I got a, but it still won't accept b&c. It is really picky about significant digits.
 
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