"The more precisely the position is determined, the less precisely the momentum is known in this instant, and vice versa." ~ The definition for 'The Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle'
"According to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics (of which 'The Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle' is one of its principles), there is no fundamental reality that the quantum state describes, just a prescription for calculating experimental results. There is no way to say what the state of a system fundamentally is, only what the result of observations might be...According to the interpretation, the interaction of an observer or apparatus that is external to the quantum system is the cause of wave function collapse; thus according to Heisenberg, "reality is in the observations, not in the electron". ~ from Wikipedia.
A branch of physics, the study of the behaviour and interactions of very small, micro-scale subatomic particles (ie.electrons, protons) is called quantum mechanics or quantum physics. In simpler terms for a layman like me, it means reality as observed in those very small micro-scale experiments exist only for the observer, and not for the object under observation.
And this reality changes when an observer tries to measure both its position and momentum (mass multiply velocity). When a person tries to measure both the position and momentum of a subatomic particle, uncertainty will arise where, if the position of the particle is known to be accurate, its momentum could not be determined accurately. And if the momentum is known to be correct, then its position could not be determined correctly. In another word, if the uncertainty in the particle's momentum approaches zero (very certain), then the uncertainty in where the particle is must approach infinity (very uncertain), and vice versa.
Explaining this to a six-year-old child is going to be tough.
We take Johnny, Mary and Albert again from the previous philosophy class but we will make it a story this time.
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Johnny. He has two best friends in school named Mary and Albert. The three of them are very close. They would often go to school together. They often eat together too. They share many happy moments with each other.
One day after school Johnny is walking home as usual. Suddenly, from far away he sees Albert and Mary sitting together under a big tree. Albert and Mary are talking and laughing together. They are also eating chocolate and ice-cream. Yes, they looked so happy together.
Johnny thinks that Mary and Albert does not see Johnny. Johnny grows a little curious. Johnny walks quickly to the place where they are sitting. His heart is beating fast. Johnny is thinking why doesn't Albert and Mary invite him to join them.
Johnny is now closer to Mary and Albert. Very close indeed. Suddenly Johnny sees that Albert and Mary are not talking and laughing together. They are not even eating chocolate and ice-cream. The two of them are actually shouting at each other. They are arguing. And they are eating cookies and milk yogurt.
Johnny sighs. His heart feels lighter now. Actually, he feels a little silly too. He smiles at them. The two who has been shouting, and arguing, and eating cookies and milk yogurt has now stop shouting. They are now smiling. After awhile, the three of them start laughing together.
Johnny laugh and laugh until tears runs down his cheek. He feels like Sunday morning now. The two people are not Albert and Mary.
And now explaining this to a 26-year-old adult.
We changed the name of the character a little, say to Tom, Nicole and Katie, and also the perspective.
Once upon a time, there was a woman named Katie. She had two colleagues at work named Tom and Nicole. the three of them seldom talk to each other. Although they worked in the same company, they're in different departments. Once in awhile they would eat in the office.
One day during lunch, Katie decided to buy her food and stay in after a hard day's work. She came back and saw Tom and Nicole standing in the office pantry. Standing so close together. They were talking, and laughing, and god forbids, teasing each other! And they were sharing some delicious ice-cream too. Oh they were so intimate. They looked so happy together.
Suddenly she saw Tom reach out to hold Nicole's hand. She did not resist. Katie walked towards them. Closer and closer. So that she may find out the truth. Yes she needs to know.
Before Katie reach close enough to see clearer, the two of them suddenly let go of their hand. They moved away from each other quickly. At the same time, Tom started talking loudly to Nicole as if he's arguing with her. Could she had mistakenly saw them holding hands and standing so close together just a moment ago?
Katie sighed. Her heart felt heavy. She smiled at them wryly. "Hi" she said. "I'm making some coffee to go with lunch." They smiled at her sheepishly. And after what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence, Katie left the pantry to eat at her own desk.
As Katie walked towards her office, she felt a little tear in her eyes. She tried to hold it back. She felt like Monday morning now. She had liked Tom for quite some time now. And now, she is very sure of what happened in the pantry. She tells herself she will get Tom no matter what.
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But of course the math is another
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