202k views
3 votes
The speed of an electron and a proton are measured to the same uncertainty. Which has a smaller uncertainty in position?

User Menyh
by
8.0k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

According to the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics, the electron will have a smaller uncertainty in position compared to a proton when their uncertainties in momentum are the same.

Step-by-step explanation:

The uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics states that it is impossible to simultaneously measure the position and momentum of a particle with perfect accuracy. The uncertainty in position, denoted as Δx, and the uncertainty in momentum, denoted as Δp, are related by the inequality ΔxΔp ≥ h/4π, where h is Planck's constant. Therefore, when the uncertainty in momentum is the same for an electron and a proton, the uncertainty in position will be smaller for the electron. This is because the mass of an electron is smaller than the mass of a proton, and hence the uncertainty in momentum, given by Δp = mΔv, will be smaller for the electron.

User DanielCollier
by
8.3k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.