The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

16 October 2023, Version 2
This content is an early or alternative research output and has not been peer-reviewed by Cambridge University Press at the time of posting.

Abstract

The Heisenberg equation may not be as well-known as Einstein’s e=mc^2. But the Heisenberg equation’s implications that there is an irreducible uncertainty with regard to the position of an object are no less intriguing than the implications of Einstein’s relativity equation that time slows to a stop when the relative velocity of an object approaches the speed of light. Using elementary mathematics and science, this paper begins by examining the physics of motion of an everyday object such as a tennis ball. The paper shows that the same physics that applies to everyday objects in fact also applies when it comes to subatomic particles, such as an electron in motion. And by taking gradual incremental steps in developing the mathematics of the underlying physics, the paper leads to the conclusion that the universe is inherently uncertain, that it is impossible to know the exact position of any object.

Keywords

Heisenberg
Uncertainty
Mathematics

Comments

Comments are not moderated before they are posted, but they can be removed by the site moderators if they are found to be in contravention of our Commenting and Discussion Policy [opens in a new tab] - please read this policy before you post. Comments should be used for scholarly discussion of the content in question. You can find more information about how to use the commenting feature here [opens in a new tab] .
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy [opens in a new tab] and Terms of Service [opens in a new tab] apply.