Frank says that quantum mechanics does not apply to baseballs because they do not jump from quantum state to quantum state when being thrown. Francine agrees with him. She says that there is no uncertainty in a baseball's position or momentum. Are they correct, or not, and why?
A) They are correct because the first excited state of a baseball is at a higher energy that any baseball ever receives. Therefore we cannot determine whether or not there is uncertainty in its position or momentum.
B) They are correct because the first excited state of a baseball is at a higher energy that any baseball ever receives. Therefore its position and momentum are completely uncertain until it is caught.
C) They are wrong because the baseball goes through so many quantum states in being thrown that we cannot observe the transitions. The uncertainties in its position and momentum are too small to observe.
D) They are wrong because the baseball goes through so many quantum states in being thrown that we cannot observe the transitions. Because of the number of transitions its position and momentum are completely uncertain until it is caught.
E) Quantum mechanics states that they are correct as long as they do not make any observations, but wrong as soon as they begin to make observations.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Frank and Francine are incorrect because the transitions in quantum states that a baseball undergoes when being thrown are too small to observe. Therefore, the uncertainties in its position and momentum are too small to be significant under normal observations. Furthermore, the first excited state of a baseball is at a higher energy than any baseball ever receives, so it is not relevant to this scenario.

Frank Says That Quantum Mechanics Does Not Apply to Baseballs