[extropy-chat] FWD (SK) Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle

[Terry W. Colvin]

Can anyone here (especially someone with physics credentials) give me a 
good layman's explanation of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle?

When I do a web search, I get some sites saying that we simply don't 
have the tools required to view delicate sub-atomic structures without 
disturbing them. One page claimed that, for instance, observation 
requires light, and photons striking the subject disturbs it.

However, some other articles assert that it is the act of human 
observation, no matter what technology we use, which affects the 
outcome. This interpretation is favored by mystics, who claim it is 
proof that reality is subjective.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.

-- 
Jonathan


-- 
"Only a zit on the wart on the heinie of progress." Copyright 1992, Frank Rice


Terry W. Colvin, Sierra Vista, Arizona (USA) < fortean1 at mindspring.com >
     Alternate: < fortean1 at msn.com >
Home Page: < http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Stargate/8958/index.html >
Sites: * Fortean Times * Mystic's Haven * TLCB *
      U.S. Message Text Formatting (USMTF) Program
------------
Member: Thailand-Laos-Cambodia Brotherhood (TLCB) Mailing List
   TLCB Web Site: < http://www.tlc-brotherhood.org > [Vietnam veterans,
Allies, CIA/NSA, and "steenkeen" contractors are welcome.]