What is Heisenberg's uncertainty principle?
Q: What is Heisenberg's uncertainty principle?
A: Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is a result of twentieth century physics which states that certain pairs of measurements such as the position and momentum of a sub-atomic particle cannot be precisely pinned down.
Q: What did Albert Einstein think about this quantum theory?
A: Albert Einstein thought that this quantum theory could give us only a partial description of nature, but he also thought that there was no "uncertainty" in nature and that the uncertainty exists only in our knowledge about it.
Q: How does Brian Greene explain Heisenberg's idea?
A: Brian Greene explains Heisenberg's idea with an analogy of a moth which flies placidly around in a large closet but who flies frantically back and forth and up and down when placed in a glass jar.
Q: What is quantum tunneling?
A: Quantum tunneling is an interesting uncertainty phenomenon which makes possible many electronic devices. It refers to electrons being able to move through solid walls, something people cannot do in everyday life.
Q: How can we visualize quantum tunneling?
A: We can visualize quantum tunneling by seeing a faint white puff on the right side of the wall after a big puff hits the wall from the left. This dim spot of light represents the photon or other atomic particle which tunnels through the wall.
