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(7 pts) The Uncertainty Principle: Spreading of Wave-packets

Consider a particle of mass m that at time t=0 is at x=0 and traveling along the x-axis with a velocity v. It is described by a wave-packet of group velocity v and width w.

a) From the uncertainty principle, estimate the uncertainty in the velocity of the electron.

b) From the uncertainty in the velocity, estimate the uncertainty in the position of electron, , as a function of time t>0 as the wave-packet then begins to move.



Prof. Tomas Alberto Arias
Thu Oct 12 16:58:54 EDT 1995