Friday, November 27, 2015

quantum mechanics - Factor 2 in Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle: Which formula is correct?


Some websites and textbooks refer to ΔxΔp2

as the correct formula for the uncertainty principle whereas other sources use the formula ΔxΔp.
Question: Which one is correct and why?


The latter is used in the textbook "Physics II for Dummies" (German edition) for several examples and the author also derives that formula so I assume that this is not a typing error.


This is the mentioned derivation:




sinθ=λΔy


assuming θ is small:


tanθ=λΔy


de Broglie equation:


λ=hpx


tanθhpxΔy


but also:


tanθ=Δpypx


equalize tanθ:


hpxΔyΔpypx



hΔyΔpyΔpyΔyh


ΔpyΔyh2π


ΔpΔxh2π



So: Which one is correct and why?




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