The discussion revolves around the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP) and whether it can be refuted by measuring an electron's position through its gravitational influence on another subatomic particle, rather than using light. The scope includes theoretical implications of the HUP and its relationship to measurement techniques.
Participants express differing views on the implications of the HUP and its relationship to measurement methods, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without consensus.
There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions and interpretations of the HUP and observer effect, as well as the implications of measuring position through gravitational influence.
The HUP should not be confused with observer effect. The HUP deals with the simultaneous measurement of two quantities, not observation. In other words, the HUP doesn't care about how we measure the two quantities just the fact that we have measured them.cosmic.ash said:Could the uncertainity principle be refuted if we do not measure the position of an electron by sending light at it but instead measure its grav influence on another subatomic particle
Not exactly; see this thread (in particular, post n.16):Hootenanny said:The HUP should not be confused with observer effect. The HUP deals with the simultaneous measurement of two quantities, not observation. In other words, the HUP doesn't care about how we measure the two quantities just the fact that we have measured them.
Good catch and fair point lightarrow. I'll rephrase;lightarrow said:Not exactly; see this thread (in particular, post n.16):
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=179089&highlight=uncertainty&page=2