Uncertainty Principle: Energy of Unstable Particle?

In summary: Is it reasonable to take this uncertainty as the energy the delta baryon was created with? If so, why?The uncertainty in energy is not the energy of the delta baryon. The uncertainty in energy is the energy associated with the uncertainty in the measurement. So, in this example, it would be reasonable to take the uncertainty in energy as the energy of the delta baryon.The reason why it is reasonable to take the uncertainty in energy as the energy of the delta baryon is because the uncertainty in energy is the biggest contributor to the uncertainty in the mean lifetime.
  • #1
Kara386
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For an unstable particle is it reasonable to take the uncertainty in energy as the energy it was created with? If so, why?
 
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  • #2
Kara386 said:
For an unstable particle is it reasonable to take the uncertainty in energy as the energy it was created with? If so, why?

Your question is extremely puzzling. What "energy" are you talking about when you are referring to the "uncertainty in energy"?

Secondly, muons are created in many different ways at many different energies. Yet, they have the same decay lifetime. So if you think that a muon's decay is dependent on the energy that was used to create it, then this should already answer your question.

Thirdly, what do you mean by "unstable particle"? How "unstable" are we talking about here? A free neutron is unstable. Is this part of the particle that you want to know even though its lifetime is in minutes?

There are many "baggages" surrounding this question that you have not explained.

Zz.
 
  • #3
ZapperZ said:
Your question is extremely puzzling. What "energy" are you talking about when you are referring to the "uncertainty in energy"?

Secondly, muons are created in many different ways at many different energies. Yet, they have the same decay lifetime. So if you think that a muon's decay is dependent on the energy that was used to create it, then this should already answer your question.

Thirdly, what do you mean by "unstable particle"? How "unstable" are we talking about here? A free neutron is unstable. Is this part of the particle that you want to know even though its lifetime is in minutes?

There are many "baggages" surrounding this question that you have not explained.

Zz.
Apologies, I didn't really consider those things! Ok, so to clarify:
The question was prompted by an example from a lecture. A delta baryon is produced with energy of 12,300MeV and its mean lifetime is calculated using the uncertainty principle. But the uncertainty in energy used in the calculation was simply the given energy of the delta baryon.
 

1. What is the Uncertainty Principle?

The Uncertainty Principle, also known as Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that states that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle with absolute certainty. In other words, the more precisely we know the position of a particle, the less we know about its momentum, and vice versa.

2. How does the Uncertainty Principle relate to the energy of unstable particles?

The Uncertainty Principle also applies to the energy of unstable particles. This means that the energy of an unstable particle cannot be determined with absolute certainty. The more precisely we know the energy of the particle, the less we know about its lifetime. This is because the energy of an unstable particle is directly related to its lifetime.

3. How does the Uncertainty Principle impact our understanding of the physical world?

The Uncertainty Principle has a significant impact on our understanding of the physical world. It challenges the classical notion of determinism, which states that the state of a system can be predicted with absolute certainty if all the relevant information is known. The Uncertainty Principle shows that there are inherent limitations to our ability to measure and predict the behavior of particles at the quantum level.

4. Can the Uncertainty Principle be overcome?

The Uncertainty Principle is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics and cannot be overcome. However, there are ways to minimize the uncertainty in measurements, such as using advanced techniques and technologies. Additionally, the Uncertainty Principle does not apply to macroscopic objects, so it does not affect our everyday lives.

5. How does the Uncertainty Principle impact scientific research?

The Uncertainty Principle has had a significant impact on scientific research, particularly in the field of quantum mechanics. It has led to the development of new theories and mathematical models to better understand the behavior of particles at the subatomic level. It has also inspired groundbreaking experiments and technologies that have pushed the boundaries of our knowledge and understanding of the physical world.

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