The concept of uncertainty pertains to scientists’ ability to describe the properties of a particle. For instance, if we want to find a particular particle, we need to determine the particle’s position and velocity—where it is and how fast it is going. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle tells us that we can’t do even this simple act. No matter how hard we try, we cannot measure a particle’s position and its velocity with perfect accuracy at the same time. This is because the very act of measuring destroys some of the information we are trying to gather.
