Understanding the Limits of Measurement in Quantum Mechanics

In summary, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle is a statistical law that pertains to the variance in measurements of a large number of identically prepared systems. It does not apply to individual measurements of a system, as in the example of using two indicators to know both noncommutating properties of a particle.
  • #1
Thomas Gajdek
7
0
Is it somehow possible to know both noncommutating properities of eg. a partcle, with using two indicators? Eg. two teams, with one is studing the momentum, and other one the position - then it's somehow impossible to exchange informations?
 
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  • #2
No. The principle is about the actual state of the system, not our knowledge of the state.
 
  • #3
Orodruin said:
No. The principle is about the actual state of the system, not our knowledge of the state.
Oh right, i did'n get it for the first time reading about it.
 
  • #4
Thomas Gajdek said:
Is it somehow possible to know both noncommutating properities of eg. a partcle, with using two indicators? Eg. two teams, with one is studing the momentum, and other one the position - then it's somehow impossible to exchange informations?

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle is, in fact, a statistical law and concerns the variance in measurements of a large number of identically prepared systems.

It doesn't, in fact, say anything about individual measurements of a system, as in your example.
 

Related to Understanding the Limits of Measurement in Quantum Mechanics

1. What is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle?

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle, also known as the uncertainty principle or the indeterminacy principle, is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics. It states that it is impossible to simultaneously know the exact position and momentum of a particle with absolute certainty.

2. Who is Heisenberg and why is this principle named after him?

Werner Heisenberg was a German physicist who developed the uncertainty principle in 1927. It is named after him because he was the first to propose and mathematically prove this principle in the field of quantum mechanics.

3. What are the implications of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle?

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle has significant implications in the field of quantum mechanics. It means that the more precisely we know the position of a particle, the less we know about its momentum, and vice versa. This uncertainty is a fundamental aspect of the behavior of particles on a subatomic level.

4. How does the Heisenberg uncertainty principle affect our daily lives?

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle may seem abstract and not applicable to our daily lives, but it actually plays a crucial role in modern technologies such as computer processors, lasers, and MRI machines. These technologies rely on the principles of quantum mechanics, including the uncertainty principle, to function.

5. Is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle still valid?

Yes, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle is still a valid and widely accepted principle in the field of quantum mechanics. It has been extensively tested and proven through various experiments and is an essential concept in understanding the behavior of particles on a subatomic level.

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