The position of a hydrogen atom (m = 1.7 × 10^-²⁷ kg)is known to within 2.0 × 10^-⁶ m.What is the minimum uncertainty in the atom's velocity?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The uncertainty principle states Δx * Δv ≥ ħ/(2m), where Δx is position uncertainty, Δv is velocity uncertainty, ħ is reduced Planck's constant (1.0545718 × 10^-34 Js), and m is mass. Solving for Δv gives approximately 0.016 m/s.

The Position of a Hydrogen Atom (M = 1