What does "minimum range of uncertainty" mean in QM?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the concept of "minimum range of uncertainty" in quantum mechanics, particularly in relation to the behavior of photons passing through a single slit. It highlights the challenge of determining the size of the spot where photons hit a screen after passing through the slit. The uncertainty principle indicates that there is a limit to how precisely the position and momentum of the photons can be known simultaneously. This uncertainty affects the spread of the photon impact on the screen, leading to a minimum size for the resulting spot. Understanding this principle is crucial for solving the problem presented.
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Homework Statement


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The problem on where the photon will hit a screen, after passing through a single horizontal slit.

I know the wavelength, slit width, magnitude of momentum of incoming photon (calculated), and distance between screen and slit.

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I just don't understand what the question is asking. What does minimum range of uncertainty mean?
 
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If you send a bunch of photons through the slit, you'll get a spot on the screen. The problem is essentially asking you to find the size of that spot. There's a limit to how small the spot will be because of the uncertainty in the component of the photon's momentum parallel to the slit.
 
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