The narrower the wave packet of a particle is, the
A)longer its wavelength.
B)more precisely its position can be established.
C)more precisely its momentum can be established.
D)more precisely its energy can be established.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The uncertainty principle states that the more precisely the position of a particle is known, the less precisely its momentum can be known, and vice versa. Therefore, if the wave packet of a particle is narrow, its position can be determined more precisely, which means that there is less uncertainty in its position. Conversely, if the wave packet is broader, there is more uncertainty in its position. Thus, B is the best choice since a narrower wave packet means a more precisely established position.

The Narrower the Wave Packet of a Particle Is, the