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Uncertainty Principle
Inderjit Singh
Heisenberg realized that ...
In the world of very small particles, one
cannot measure any property of a particle
without interacting with it in some way
a short wavelength
Measuring Position and Momentum
of an Electron
By Planck’s law E = hc/λ, a photon with
a short wavelength has a large energy
AFTER
Thus, it would impart a large ELECTRON-PHOTON
COLLISION
x
• In general, we always have: x p a constant
This constant is known as:
h
(called h-bar)
2
x px y p y z pz
• With the definition of the constant :
p h / hK / 2 p K
Energy Uncertainty
The energy uncertainty of a Gaussian wave packet is
k
2 A cos t x cost kx (1)
2 2
Derivation - Continued
Equation1 represent a wave of angular ve locity w and
w wave number k which has superimpos ed upon it a wave
(the process is called modulation ) of angular ve locity
d/2 and wave number dk/2
phase velocity = wave velocity of carrier :v p
k
group velocity = wave velocity of envelope :vg
k
d
for more than two wave contiribut ions : v g
dk
Derivation - Continued
The condition for the formation of the node is
that amplitude 2 A cos(.t k.x)
should be zero or
So that
and
Derivation - Continued
So uncertainity in measurement of position of
the particle (x1-x2)
Physical Origin of the Uncertainty Principle
Heisenberg (Bohr) Microscope
The measurement itself
introduces the uncertainty
When we “look” at an object we
see it via the photons that are
detected by the microscope
These are the photons that are
scattered within an angle 2θ and
collected by a lens of diameter D
Momentum of electron is changed
Consider single photon, this will
introduce the minimum
uncertainty
Bohr Microscope-continued
(a)Limitation in determing the position of electron
K.E.=ℏ/ 2m0 L2
=(Δp)2 /2m0
K.E.=ℏ/ 2m0 r2
Binding energy of an electron
.
Binding energy of an electron
.
Binding energy of an electron
.
Minimum Energy of the
Hermonic Oscillator
Consider a mechanical oscillator –spring
attached at one end and mass attached at
the other end.
Classical mechanics-when at rest-energy of the
oscillator is zero
Quantum mechanics—Energy of the oscillator
can never be zero.
Let Δx is the displacement of the mass.
Uncertainity in position= Δx
Harmonic Oscillator-Continued
Uncertainty in the momentum Δp h/Δx
Minimum momentum of the particle is at
least equal to uncertainty in momentum
p=Δp=ℏ/ Δx
Energy of the Hermonic oscillator= PE+KE
Harmonic Oscillator-Continued
.
Harmonic Oscillator-Continued
.
Harmonic Oscillator-Continued
.
Harmonic Oscillator-Continued
THANKS
Heisenberg (Bohr) Microscope
p ph
max
2 p ph sin
As a consequence of
momentum conservation
pelectron pph 2pph sin
h
p ph
2h
p electron 2 p ph sin sin
for small , sin
2h Trying to locate electron we
p electron
introduce the uncertainty of
the momentum
Heisenberg (Bohr) Microscope
2h
pelectron
xelelctron D
θ~(D/2)/L, L ~ D/2 θ is distance
to lens 2 1.22
D
Uncertainty in electron
1.22
position for small θ is xelectron
2
xelectron L(2 ) ( D / 2 )(2 ) D
2h
p electron
1.22 h
p electron 1.22
2D x
x D
( p electron )( x) 1.22h
PROBLEM 3 An electron is moving along x axis with the speed
of 2×106 m/s (known with a precision of 0.50%).
What is the minimum uncertainty with which we can
simultaneously measure the position of the electron along the x
axis? Given the mass of an electron 9.1×10-31 kg
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
p
v
m mx
6.63 1034 J .s
v
9.11031 kg 1.0 104 m 2
v 1.2m / s
Observation:
We can predict the velocity of the electron to within 1.2m/s.
Locating the electron at one position affects our ability to know
where it will be at later times
PROBLEM 5 A grain of sand with the mass of 1.00 mg appears
to be at rest on a smooth surface. We locate its position to within
0.01mm. What velocity limit is implied by our measurement of its
position?
SOLUTION
p
v
m mx
6.63 1034 J .s
v
1106 kg 1.0 105 m 2
v 1.11023 m / s
Observation:
The uncertainty of velocity of the grain is so small that we do not
observe it: The grain of sand may still be considered at rest, as our
experience says it should
PROBLEM 6 An electron is confined within a region of width
1.010- 10 m. (a) Estimate the minimum uncertainty in the
x-component of the electron's momentum.
(b) If the electron has momentum with magnitude equal to the
uncertainty found in part (a), what is its kinetic energy? Express
the result in jou1es and in electron volts.
SOLUTION
(a)
(b)
PROBLEM 7 A sodium atom is in one of the states labeled ''Lowest excited
levels". It remains in that state for an average
time of 1.610-8 s before it makes a transition back to a ground
state, emitting a photon with wavelength 589.0 nm and energy
2.105 eV. What is the uncertainty in energy of that excited state?
What is the wavelength spread of the corresponding spectrum line?
SOLUTION