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Uncertainty in ball's direction after the first collision

  Establish the limitation which the uncertainty principle places on the precision with which the angle leaving the first pin may be set. Assuming that the uncertainties in the first collision are small, show that the uncertainty in the direction leaving the first pin is on the order of

where p=mv is the magnitude of the momentum the Pin Ball. From this and the HUP, determine the least possible uncertainty in the angle leaving pin #1.

(Note that the figure shows an exaggerated case where the uncertainties and result is a rather large uncertainty .)



Prof. Tomas Alberto Arias
Mon Feb 26 15:11:01 EST 1996