Heisenberg principle particle1/15/2024 ![]() In that case, we have a pretty good idea where the wave package is, but in order to do this, we had to mix a whole lot of frequencies together, thus losing precision with regards to this observable.Īs momentum is associated with the frequency of a wave, this should help to gain some intuition for the uncertainty principle. Or, we can create a wave package by superimposing different frequencies, so as to create destructive interference at all positions except a narrowly defined interval of space. In that case, we have perfect knowledge of its frequency, but its position is totally spread out through space. For example, we can have a standing wave of uniform frequency that is uniform across all of space. This becomes more intuitive by reminding ourselves how waves and wave packages work. Rather, it tells us, that two observables, like momentum and position, do not exist beyond a certain threshold of precision. ![]() The uncertainty principle, on the other hand, has nothing to do with observation. That seems intuitive enough, after all, if we measure a quantum system by shooting photons at it, it is reasonable enough that this collision should change the state of the system. The observer effect tells us, that we cannot observe a system without interacting with it, and through the act of interaction necessarily influence it. While they may look similar at first glance, they are fundamentally different on an ontological level. That is a good question, and there is an unfortunate tendency – especially in pop-science – to treat the uncertainty principle and the observer effect) as the same thing. ![]()
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