University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 39 - Particles Behaving as Waves - Problems - Discussion Questions - Page 1313: Q39.17

Answer

See explanation.

Work Step by Step

The Heisenberg Uncertainty principle for matter does state that the energy of a system has uncertainty. Strictly speaking, that does mean that the energy of a system is not constant down to the very last decimal place. However, for all intents and purposes, energy is still conserved, because $\Delta E$ is tiny enough to neglect, i.e., it is practically zero, for any measurement of reasonable length $\Delta t$, due to the small value of h.
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