Author Question: In what way does the Heisenberg uncertainty principle limit our ability to measure ... (Read 21 times)

ishan · **on:** Jul 28, 2018

In what way does the Heisenberg uncertainty principle limit our ability to measure exactly?

Question 2

When performing arithmetical operations using significant figures, how many significant digits can there be in a final answer that is obtained by multiplying or dividing the original recorded data?

ong527 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle is a limit on measurement accuracy that is
philosophically significant, but it is of practical importance only when dealing with
measurements made on atomic or subatomic size particles. As long as the size of the
object being measured is relatively large, this effect will be very, very small and can
be neglected. Refer to the textbook, Section 9.5, for more details.

Answer to Question 2

The final computed answer can contain no more significant digits than the number of
significant digits in the original measurement with the least number of significant
digits.