Does Heisenberg's uncertainty principle mean determinism can't be true?

Answer 1

Well, some say so:
"Heisenberg's uncertainty principle states that the uncertainty in the position of the particle times the uncertainty in its velocity times the mass of the particle can never be smaller than a certain quantity (Planck’s constant). i.e. It is impossible to assign definite values of certain pairs of variables, such as position and momentum, with arbitrary precision for any type of sub-atomic particle using any method of measurement



DE position x (DE velocity x mass) = h = Planck's constant



For example:

In order to measure the current position of a particle, the obvious way is to shine light on the particle. Some of the waves of light will be scattered by the particle and this will indicate its position. However, one will not be able to determine the position of the particle more accurately than the distance between the wave crests of light, so one needs to use light of a short wavelength in order to measure the position of the particle precisely. Now, by Planck’s quantum hypothesis, one cannot use an arbitrarily small amount of light; one has to use at least one quantum. This quantum will disturb the particle and change its velocity in a way that cannot be predicted. Moreover, the more accurately one measures the position, the shorter the wavelength of the light that one needs and hence the higher the energy of a single quantum. So the velocity of the particle will be disturbed by a greater amount. In other words the more accurately you try to measure the position of the particle, the less accurately you can measure its speed, and vice versa.



Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is important in that it proves that the first premise in the theory of determinism is false. Laplace in his Philosophical Essay on Probabilities (1814) described determinism thus:

"An intellect which at any given moment knew all the forces that animate Nature and THE MUTUAL POSITIONS OF THE BEINGS THAT COMPRISE IT, if this intellect were vast enough to submit its data to analysis, could condense into a single formula the movement of the greatest bodies of the universe and that of the lightest atom: for such an intellect nothing could be uncertain; and the future just like the past would be present before our eyes."

Heisenberg proved that "the mutual positions of the beings that comprise it" could never be found.



To put another way, determinism states that all future positions can be predicted if:

1) The current position and momentum (velocity x mass) at any one point is known and

2) All the laws of nature are known.

Heisenberg's uncertainty principle says that premise 1 can never be know with absolute accuracy."

and some say no:

"The Context of Discovery versus the Context of Justification

IV. Determinism: All effects have causes. There are orderly laws governing the universe. Nature is not capricious. If a closed system of variables is in State A at time 1, then there are laws that enable us to predict the State of the system at any other time 2. If A then B. Nature will not change the laws themselves over time. [Wow your friends: "The differential equations of motion of the system do not contain time explicitly"]

A. If prediction not borne out, assume (1) Variables not measured correctly; (2) Not all variables accounted for (not a closed system); (3) Theory wrong; correct law not discovered yet. But determinism itself is not challenged.
B. If system cannot be closed or all variables cannot be measured or accounted for-: science adopts statistical determinism (e.g., "30% probability of rain tomorrow"). Strict determinism is still assumed to be operating. Statistical statement simply reflects our ignorance, not a state of nature. We do not assume that "God's will" or "free will" accounts for an erroneous forecast.

C. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle does not disprove determinism--"If A sometimes not B"--but renders it untestable: We can never completely assess A or B."

I guess you could say that the answer to this question really can't be determined.

Answer 2

No because Heisenberg was refering to a sub-atomic characteristic of some particles (not all. the most commonly one referenced or used as example is the electron).

Answer 3

yes Heisenberg proved the lack of existence of GOD , Fate and every thing that newtons world proclaimed

Answer 4

Gee, i guess i'm not sure.