What is the uncertainty speed of a hydrogen atom inside a virus?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the uncertainty speed of a hydrogen atom located inside a virus, with a focus on the implications of the uncertainty principle. Participants explore the relationship between the uncertainty in position and the resulting uncertainty in speed, considering the dimensions of both the virus and the hydrogen atom.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for help in determining the uncertainty speed of a hydrogen atom within a virus, noting that the uncertainty in position is not provided.
  • Another participant suggests considering the maximum uncertainty in position, hinting at the size of the virus as a relevant factor.
  • A participant proposes that since a virus is approximately 100 nm and a hydrogen atom is about 0.1 nm, the uncertainty in position could be estimated at 10 nm.
  • A later reply questions the reasoning behind arriving at the 10 nm estimate, seeking clarification on the calculation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the uncertainty in position or the method of calculation, indicating that multiple views and uncertainties remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks specific definitions for uncertainty in position and does not clarify the assumptions made in estimating the uncertainty based on the sizes of the virus and the hydrogen atom.

badart97
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What is the uncertainty speed of a hydrogen atom inside a virus? Even though the vaue of uncertainty in position is not given. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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You might want to consider what the maximum uncertainity in position of the hydrogen atom is (hint: the atom is in in the virus)
 
so a virus is roughly 100 nm and a hydrogen atom is .1 nm, so would that make the uncertainty in position 10 nm? thanks for the help btw
 
How would you have arrived at 10nm?
 

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