What is Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle is mathematically expressed as \(\Delta x \Delta p \geq \frac{\hbar}{2}\), which is equivalent to \(\Delta x \Delta p \geq \frac{h}{4\pi}\). This principle indicates that the product of the uncertainties in position (\(\Delta x\)) and momentum (\(\Delta p\)) cannot be smaller than this value. The confusion arises from different representations in various textbooks, but the standard deviation notation \(\sigma_{x}\sigma_{p}\geq\frac{1}{2}\hbar\) is widely accepted in physics education.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics fundamentals
  • Familiarity with the concepts of position and momentum
  • Knowledge of standard deviation and statistical notation
  • Basic grasp of Planck's constant (\(h\)) and reduced Planck's constant (\(\hbar\))
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the implications of the principle in wave-particle duality
  • Research the role of Planck's constant in quantum physics
  • Examine real-world applications of the Uncertainty Principle in technology
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of quantum theory.

clementc
Messages
38
Reaction score
2
What is Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle??

Homework Statement


Hey everyone,

Until very recently, I had always thought that Heisenberg's uncertainty principle was that
\Delta x \Delta p \geq \frac{h}{2\pi} (or \hbar)

However, I'm doing my final year of high school physics this year, and my physics teacher, tutor, random textbooks and even Wikipedia say its \Delta x \Delta p \geq \frac{h}{4\pi}.
(Well Wikipedia also says its \Delta x \Delta p \geq h so yeah...LOL)

I was just wondering which one was really correct. I'm thinking \frac{h}{2\pi} like it says in Giancoli and Halliday/Resnick? But not really sure.

Thank you =D
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Well every textbook I have seen it in says that it is:
\frac{\hbar}{2}
which is equivalent to:
\frac{h}{4\pi}

Perhaps others could shed some light on why you may see it displayed different ways in different situations... But, as far as I know this is the actual formula. and it is really the standard deviations of x and p, written like:
\sigma_{x}\sigma_{p}\geq\frac{1}{2}\hbar
 


Well, Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle strikes again!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
5K