Help with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around applying the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to estimate the uncertainty in energy for a proton confined within a nucleus, specifically a nucleus with a diameter of 1.0 x 10^-14 m. Participants are exploring the relationships between position, momentum, and energy as dictated by the uncertainty principle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to transition from the given uncertainty in position to the uncertainty in energy, expressing confusion about the lack of provided values for time and momentum. Some participants suggest that momentum is related to velocity, while others question how to define the uncertainty in position given the diameter of the nucleus.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various lines of reasoning, with some participants offering insights into the relationships between the variables involved. There is an indication that one participant has reached a conclusion, but the overall conversation remains open with multiple interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the constraints of the problem, particularly the lack of explicit values for uncertainty in time and momentum, which complicates the application of the uncertainty principle.

Bazanaka
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Today I was assigned a question (that is due tomorrow) and I currenlty have very little idea how to solve it... Any help to get me started here would be greatly appreciated.
1. Use the uncertainty principle to estimate the uncertainty in energy of a proton confined to a nucleus 1.0 x 10^-14m in diameter.

Here are the equations we were given
2. (delta x)(delta p) >= h/2pi
(delta E)(delta t) >= h/2pi



To try and solve it I wasn't really sure where to start because we weren't given the uncertainty in time or the uncertainty in momentum so I am not sure how I can make the transition to energy

Any help will be greatly appreciated. I do not need someone to solve this for me, please just point me in the right direction so I can learn the material.
 
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momentum is proportional to velocity which is distance/time

maybe?
 
How would I figure out the uncertainty in for delta x? I am given that a nucleus is 1.0 x 10^-14m in diameter but I am unsure if the uncertainty would be that whole value or what it is.
 
well you know it isn't outside the nucleus.

where exactly inside the nucleus would you expect it to be?
 
I solved it, just thought I should respond so that people didnt continue to post. Incase anyone has trouble with this type of the question in the future:
I used (delta x)(delta p)=h/(4pi)
then using the value of (delta p) found the (delta v)
then using the (delta v) was able to find (delta E) using a variation of the EK=1/2mv^2 formula, (delta E)=1/2m(delta v)^2. I hope my misery helps someone lol...
 

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