how did 'uncertainty principle' change science?

Question

or, did it?

Answer 1

The laws of Newton appeared to be able to solve, theoretically at least, all future events provided one could know the position and momentum of every particle in the universe at one particular time. This is known as the mechanistic universe, and was believed unarguably true for over 150 years. In it, there is no such things as randomness or free will. Heisenburg discovered that it is impossible to know both precisely for ANY particle, let alone all those in the universe. As a result, randomness, in the quantum world, and perhaps also free will in our minds, exists. Isn't it something how roots of ancient philosphies and religions are unable to be disproved by modern science? What a universe!

Answer 2

The uncertainty principle sets up lower limits on the precision of experiments at a sub-atomic scale. This allowed for speculations provided there are about phenomena that could not be observed directly in an experiment. Quantum electrodynamics (QED) and Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) make hypothesis that cannot be verified directly but the consequences fit very well with the theory. The changes that this principle made concern only physics but you have to take account that quantum physic in general has made the transistor possible which has lead us into the computer age.

Answer 3

To merely state that there is a fundamental limitation on measurement accuracy, as well as predictive accuracy, is one thing, but the implications of it led to quantum states, where it becomes no longer meaningful to speak of a specific location, time, momentum, energy, spin orientation, etc. The more physicists studied the consequence of this seemingly innocuous principle, the more bizarre physical reality became, and today nobody really understands how quantum physics works the way it does, even though they've got equations describing it well. For many, it's proven very disturbing. It has tossed out all the comfortable notions of what we thought was sensible reality. Perhaps once someone finally "breaks the code", and explains quantum wierdness in a rational way, it could pave the way for the next revolution in physics.

Answer 4

With physics, it was accepted that everything could be predicted. However, this was found to be untrue. Most topics in physics can be linked to each other, but that does not apply to quantum physics. The uncertanty principle has caused many different theories to develop because the laws of physics break down on the sub-atomic level. Now physicists are looking to unite the sub-atomic world with the macro-scopic world. This has led to controvesial theories like String Theory and M-Theory. Neither of these can be experimented upon.

Answer 5

There is an extensive discussion on this at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncertainty_principle#History_and_interpretations .

Basically, it became clear that there is no way to predict completely certain things. Only within a margin of error. Einstein never accepted this.

Answer 6

Explains like no other can .:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4237751840526284618&q=double+slit

Answer 7

it proved that we cant know everything
[and did allot more to]

[[i think]]