What is the physical meaning of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle? We have derived it mathematically but what is the logical explanation for it?
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7$\begingroup$ So...you're saying there isn't any logic in the math? 8D $\endgroup$– paracetamolJul 13, 2017 at 13:36
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3$\begingroup$ chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/59822/… $\endgroup$– paracetamolJul 13, 2017 at 13:37
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$\begingroup$ @paracetamol I meant to say is there any logical deduction of the principle(not formula) without involving complex mayhematics. $\endgroup$– AyushmaanJul 13, 2017 at 14:05
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$\begingroup$ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… $\endgroup$– paracetamolJul 13, 2017 at 14:10
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1$\begingroup$ Possible duplicate - Heisenbergs uncertainty principle. (Digressing, but what a crappy title - bonus points to anybody who edits that question.) $\endgroup$– orthocresolJul 13, 2017 at 14:16
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1 Answer
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A wave packet is localized in space, but it is a superposition of many waves of different wavelengths.
A simple wave has a distinct wavelength, but it is spread out in space.
The wavelength corresponds to the momentum of a particle: $p = \frac{h}{\lambda}$.
These are examples where you can't know both the position and wavelength (i.e., momentum) of a wave form.
