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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

If uncertainty in position and momentum are both equal, what will the uncertainty in velocity be?

A

\frac{1}{2m}\sqrt{\frac{h}{\pi}}

B

\sqrt{\frac{h}{2\pi}}

C

\frac{1}{m}\sqrt{\frac{h}{\pi}}

D

\frac{h}{\pi}

Step-by-Step Solution

According to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, the product of uncertainties in position (Δx\Delta x) and momentum (Δp\Delta p) is given by: ΔxΔph4π\Delta x \cdot \Delta p \ge \frac{h}{4\pi}

Given that Δx=Δp\Delta x = \Delta p, we substitute into the equation: (Δp)2h4π(\Delta p)^2 \ge \frac{h}{4\pi} Δph4π=12hπ\Delta p \ge \sqrt{\frac{h}{4\pi}} = \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{\frac{h}{\pi}}

We know that uncertainty in momentum is related to uncertainty in velocity by Δp=mΔv\Delta p = m \cdot \Delta v. Substituting this: mΔv12hπm \cdot \Delta v \ge \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{\frac{h}{\pi}} Δv12mhπ\Delta v \ge \frac{1}{2m}\sqrt{\frac{h}{\pi}}

Thus, the minimum uncertainty in velocity is 12mhπ\frac{1}{2m}\sqrt{\frac{h}{\pi}}.

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