Cracking The Nutshell

What does Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle actually state? Is it the result of disturbances created during the process of measurement or is it a statement derived from the most fundamental principles in quantum mechanics (and hence applies regardless of measurement)?

Since there is so much misinformation surrounding this topic, I have decided to make a whole new series of videos covering Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. This is a series for everybody, from beginner's to more advanced levels – no matter how little or how much you already know, I am hoping you’ll find something that catches your interest!

This is the first video in this series; we’ll start with a little home experiment, we’ll then cover some theory and finally, we’ll finish with a few very interesting examples.

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Video full script here: http://crackingthenutshell.......

Summary:

1. The Uncertainty Principle in Action (Easy Home Experiment):

- Single-Slit experiment with laser, blades, playdough and peg

- Horizontal spread of laser spot as we narrow the slit's width

- Interference fringes

2. Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle (theory):

- Statement of the Uncertainty Principle: "It is impossible to find a state in which the particle has definite values for both position and momentum"

- Definition of momentum (for particles with mass)

- Clarification: momentum and position need to be along same axis

- Fundamental limit to the precision with which position and momentum can be known (because well-defined values of both variables cannot exist simultaneously)

- Contrary to popular belief (and what some teachers or books state), the Uncertainty Principle is NOT the same as the Observer Effect (it is NOT the result of disturbances created through the process of measurement)

- H.U.P. can be derived theoretically from fundamental principles in quantum mechanics (inherent indeterminacy in wave-like systems). Complementarity (Niels Bohr), conjugate pairs of observables

3. Some Examples of Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle:

- Single Slit Diffraction explained using Uncertainty Principle

- Size and stability of hydrogen atom explained using Uncertainty Principle

- Does Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle apply to macroscopic objects? Bose-Einstein Condensates: velocity distribution of particles and the Uncertainty Principle. Anisotropic spread


Thank you so much for watching, I hope you’ve enjoyed watching this video as much as I’ve enjoyed making it. There’s two or perhaps three more videos coming in this series covering yet more fascinating ideas around Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. I am currently working on the scripts and the next video should be ready very soon!

Don’t forget to like, comment, share and subscribe. And last but not least, thank you so much to all my patrons and also to all of you who have recently donated via Paypal. I wouldn’t be here without your help so thank you ever so much for your support and hopefully see you very soon!

~ Dolors

** Are you willing to support my channel by becoming a patron? http://www.patreon.com/crac......

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