DAILY DOSE: SIMPLIFIED LEARNING MATERIAL 2021-22

CLASS: 11th
SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY
UNIT NO. & NAME: 2; STRUCTURE OF ATOM
CHAPTER NO. & NAME: 2; STRUCTURE OF ATOM
TOPIC: HEISENBERG’S UNCERTAINTY
PRINCIPLE

ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

❖ Introduction – What is Heisenberg’s Uncertainty

Principle?
Uncertainty principle, also called Heisenberg uncertainty
principle or indeterminacy principle, statement, articulated
(1927) by the German physicist Werner Heisenberg,
that the position and the velocity of an object cannot
both be measured exactly, at the same time, even in theory. The very
concepts of exact position and exact velocity together, in fact, have no
meaning in nature. In other words, Heisenberg’s uncertainty
principle states that it is impossible to measure simultaneously,
both the position and the momentum of a microscopic object. This
principle is based on the wave-particle duality of matter. Although
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle can be ignored in the macroscopic
world (the uncertainties in the position and velocity of objects with
relatively large masses are negligible), it holds significant value in the
quantum world.
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ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

06.06.202106.06202106.06202106.06202106.06202130.06.202130.06.2021

❖ MATHEMATICALLY
If, ∆x is the error in position measurement and ∆p is the error in the
measurement of momentum, then
𝒉
∆x × ∆p ≥ (≥ means that the product of ∆x × ∆p can be either greater
𝟒𝝅
ℎ
or equal to )
4𝜋

Since momentum, p = mv. Therefore, ∆p= m (∆v) (because mass is

constant and ∆v is the error in the measurement of velocity).
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle formula can be alternatively written
as-
ℎ
∆x × m (∆v) ≥
4𝜋

𝒉
∆x × ∆v ≥ Accurate measurement of position or momentum
𝟒𝝅𝒎
automatically indicates larger uncertainty (error) in the measurement of
the other quantity.

Applying the Heisenberg principle to an electron in an orbit of an atom,

with h = 6.626 ×10-34 kgm2s-1, m = 9.11 ×10-31 Kg and 𝜋 = 3.14
ℎ
You know that, ∆x × ∆v =
4𝜋𝑚

6.626 ×10−34 kgm2 s−1

∆x × ∆v =
4×3.14×9.11 ×10−31 kg

∆x × ∆v = 5.78 ×10−5 𝑚 × 𝑚𝑠 −1

To find the exact position of the electron, say to an uncertainty in

position is about 10-8 m then,
5.78×10−5 𝑚×ms−1
∆v = =5.78×10−3 𝑚s −1
1×10−8 𝑚

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 DAILY DOSE: SIMPLIFIED LEARNING MATERIAL 2021-22

ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

❖ Why is it Impossible to Measure both Position

and Momentum Simultaneously?
In order to illustrate Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, consider
an example where the position of an electron is measured. In
order to measure the position of an
object, a photon must collide with it
and return to the measuring device.
Since photons hold some finite
momentum, a transfer of momenta will
occur when the photon collides with
the electron. This transfer of momenta
will cause the momentum of the
electron to increase. Thus, any
attempt at measuring the position of a
particle will increase the uncertainty in
the value of its momentum.

The constancy of the product of

uncertainties means that:

▪ If ∆x is small then ∆p would be large i.e., there would be large

uncertainty in momentum.
▪ If ∆p is small then ∆x would be large i.e., there would be large
uncertainty in position of the particle
▪ In other words, if the position of a particle measured accurately
there will be more error in measurement of momentum.
Conversely, if momentum is measured accurately there will be
more error in measurement of position.

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ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

❖ SIGNIFICANCE OF UNCERTAINITY PRINCIPLE

One of the important implications of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
is that it rules out existence of definite paths or trajectories of electrons
and other similar particles. The trajectory of an object is determined by its
location and velocity at various moments. If we know where a body is at a
particular instant and if we also know its velocity and the forces acting on
it at that instant, we can tell where the body would be sometime later. We,
therefore, conclude that the position of an object and its velocity fix its
trajectory. Since for a sub-atomic object such as an electron, it is not
possible simultaneously to determine the position and velocity at any
given instant to an arbitrary degree of precision, it is not possible to talk of
the trajectory of an electron. The effect of Heisenberg Uncertainty
Principle is significant only for motion of microscopic objects and is
negligible for that of macroscopic objects.

EXAMPLE 1: A microscope using suitable photons is employed to locate

an electron in an atom within a distance of 0.1 Å. What is the uncertainty
involved in the measurement of its velocity? (h= 6.626× 10−34 kgm2 s −1 ).
ℎ
SOLUTION 1: We know that, ∆x × ∆p = 4𝜋
ℎ
Or, ∆x × m (∆v) ≥
4𝜋

ℎ
Or, ∆x × ∆v =
4𝜋𝑚

h= 6.626× 10−34 kgm2 s −1 (given), we know 𝜋 = 3.14, mass of electron

(m) = 9.11 ×10-31 Kg and ∆x = 0.1× 10−10 m.
ℎ 6.626 ×10−34 kgm2 s−1
so, ∆v = ∆v =
4𝜋𝑚∆x 4×3.14×9.11 ×10−31 kg × 0.1×10−10 m

∆v = 0.579×107 m𝑠 −1 or ∆v = 5.79×106 m𝑠 −1

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 DAILY DOSE: SIMPLIFIED LEARNING MATERIAL 2021-22

ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

EXAMPLE 2: A golf ball has a mass of 40g, and a speed of 45 m/s. If

the speed can be measured within accuracy of 2%, calculate the
uncertainty in the position.

SOLUTION 2: The uncertainty in the speed is 2%, i.e,

2
∆v = × 45 = 0.9 m𝑠 −1 , m= 40 × 10−3 Kg
100

ℎ 6.626 ×10−34 Kgm2 s−1

∆x = ∆x = = 1.46× 10−33 m
4𝜋𝑚∆v 4×3.14×40×10−3 Kg × 0.9 m𝑠 −1

❖ REMEMBER THAT:
▪ Heisenberg’s uncertainty
principle states that it is
impossible to determine
simultaneously, both the
position and the momentum of
a microscopic object with
absolute accuracy.
𝒉 𝒉
▪ ∆x × ∆p ≥ OR ∆x × ∆v ≥
𝟒𝝅 𝟒𝝅𝒎
▪ h = 6.626 ×10 kgm s , m = 9.11
-34 2 -1

×10-31 Kg and 𝜋 = 3.14

▪ The effect of Heisenberg
Uncertainty Principle is significant
only for motion of microscopic
objects and is negligible for that of
macroscopic objects.

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 DAILY DOSE: SIMPLIFIED LEARNING MATERIAL 2021-22

ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

A. MULTIPLE CHOICE
QUESTIONS:
1. Uncertainty in position and momentum can be denoted as_____.

(a) ∆x and ∆p (b) x and ∆p (c) ∆x and p (d) ∆x and ∆m

2. If ∆x is small then ∆p would be large i.e., there would be large

uncertainty in ______.

(a) position (b) velocity (c) momentum (d) all of these

3. Formula of momentum P is____.

(a) P = m+v (b) P = mv (c) P = m/v (d) P = m-v

4. Value of h in uncertainty principle formula is______.

(a) h= 6.626× 10−34 kgm2 s −1 (b) h= 6.626× 10−20 kgm2 s −1

(c) h= 6.626× 10−34 kg (d) h= 12.626× 10−34 kgm2 s −1

5. Uncertainty principle holds significant value in the ______ world.

(a) mathematical (b) chemical (c) imaginary (d) quantum

B. FILL IN THE BLANKS:

6. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is based on the ____ duality
of matter.

7. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle can be ignored in the ___

world.

8. If momentum is measured accurately there will be more error in

measurement of _____.

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ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

C. TRUE/FALSE:
9. Uncertainty principle, also called Heisenberg uncertainty principle
or determinacy principle.

10. ∆p= m(∆v) where mass is constant and ∆v is the error in the
measurement of velocity.

D. NUMERICAL PROBLEMS:
11. An electron in a molecule travels at a speed of 40m/s. The
uncertainty in the momentum Δp of the electron is 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 of its
momentum. Calculate the uncertainty in position Δx if the mass of
an electron is 9.1×𝟏𝟎−𝟑𝟏 kg using Heisenberg Uncertainty Formula.

12. Position of a chloride ion on a material can be determined to a

maximum error of 1μm. If the mass of the chloride ion is 5.86 ×
𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟔 Kg, what will be the error in its velocity measurement?

13. The uncertainty in the momentum Δp of a ball travelling at 20

ms-1 is 1×𝟏𝟎−𝟔 of its momentum. Mass of the ball is 0.5 kg. Calculate
the uncertainty in position Δx using Heisenberg Uncertainty
Formula.

ANSWERS

A. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:

1. (a) ∆x and ∆p

2. (c) momentum

3. (b) P = mv

4. (a) h= 6.626× 10−34 kgm2 s −1

5. (d) quantum

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ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

B. FILL IN THE BLANKS:

6. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is based on the wave-particle
duality of matter.

7. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle can be ignored in the

macroscopic world.

8. If momentum is measured accurately there will be more error in

measurement of position.

C. TRUE/FALSE:
9. Uncertainty principle, also called Heisenberg uncertainty principle
or determinacy principle. False (because its indeterminacy principle)

10. ∆p= m (∆v) where mass is constant and ∆v is the error in the
measurement of velocity. True

D. NUMERICAL PROBLEMS:
11. Given that v = 40 m/s, h = 6.626 ×10-34 kgm2s-1,

m = 9.11 ×10-31 Kg and 𝝅 = 3.14

We know that, ∆P = m× ∆v
∆P = 9.11 ×10-31 ×40 = 364×10-31 kgms-1
Heisenberg Uncertainty principle formula is given as,
ℎ
∆x =
4𝜋 ∆P

𝟔.𝟔𝟐𝟔 ×𝟏𝟎−𝟑𝟒 𝐤𝐠𝐦𝟐 𝐬 −𝟏

=
𝟒×𝟑.𝟏𝟒×𝟑𝟔𝟒×𝟏𝟎−𝟑𝟏 𝐤𝐠𝐦/𝐬
∆x = 1.44 m

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ASSIGNMENT NO.: 23 CLASS: 11th SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY DATE: 06.06.2021

12. ∆x = 10-6 m, h = 6.626 ×10-34 kgm2s-1 , m = 9.11 ×10-31 Kg

and 𝝅 = 3.14
ℎ ℎ
∆x × 𝑚∆v = OR ∆v =
4𝜋 4𝜋∆x ×𝑚

𝟔.𝟔𝟐𝟔 ×𝟏𝟎−𝟑𝟒 𝐤𝐠𝐦𝟐 𝐬 −𝟏

∆v = 𝟒×𝟑.𝟏𝟒×𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝐦 ×𝟗.𝟏𝟏×𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝐤𝐠
= 9×10-34 ms-1

13. Given that: v = 20 m/s, h = 6.626 ×10-34 kgm2s-1

m = 0.5 Kg and 𝜋 = 3.14

We know that P = mv = 0.5 × 20 = 10 kgms-1

∆p = 10-6 of P = 10-6×10 = 10-5 kgms-1

ℎ 6.626 ×10−34 kgm2 s−1

We know that, ∆x = = = 0.527× 𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟗 m
4𝜋∆𝑝 4×3.14×10−5 kgm s−1

Prepared by: Astinder Pal, Lecturer Chemistry

GSSS Sekhwan. (8054440438)
Under the guidance of: Sh. Rajesh Saini, Principal cum DM Chemistry,
District Gurdaspur
Supervised by: Smt. Jasvinder Kaur (Assistant Director) PPPP
Science Sen. Sec. State Coordinator

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