Question

Alveoli are tiny sacs in the lungs whose average diameter is $5\times {10}^{-5}m$. Consider an oxygen molecule $(5.3\times {10}^{-26}kg)$ trapped within a sac. Calculate uncertainty in the velocity of oxygen molecule.

Answer 1

Uncertainty in position $\Delta x=$ Diameter of Alveoli

$=5\times {10}^{-10}m$

$\Delta x\Delta v\ge \frac{h}{4\pi m}$

$\Delta v\ge \frac{6.626\times {10}^{-34}}{4\times 3.14\times 5.3\times {10}^{-26}\times 5\times {10}^{-10}}$

$\Delta v\approx 1.99m/sec$.