Frank Says That Quantum Mechanics Does Not Apply to Baseballs

question 11

Multiple Choice

Frank says that quantum mechanics does not apply to baseballs because they do not jump from quantum state to quantum state when being thrown. Francine agrees with him. She says that there is no uncertainty in a baseball's position or momentum. Are they correct, or not, and why?

• A) They are correct because the first excited state of a baseball is at a higher energy that any baseball ever receives. Therefore we cannot determine whether or not there is uncertainty in its position or momentum.
• B) They are correct because the first excited state of a baseball is at a higher energy that any baseball ever receives. Therefore its position and momentum are completely uncertain until it is caught.
• C) They are wrong because the baseball goes through so many quantum states in being thrown that we cannot observe the transitions. The uncertainties in its position and momentum are too small to observe.
• D) They are wrong because the baseball goes through so many quantum states in being thrown that we cannot observe the transitions. Because of the number of transitions its position and momentum are completely uncertain until it is caught.
• E) Quantum mechanics states that they are correct as long as they do not make any observations, but wrong as soon as they begin to make observations.

---

Definitions:

Big Three

A term typically used to refer to the three dominant firms in a specific industry or sector, often used to describe the top auto manufacturers in the United States.

Big Four

A term often referring to the four largest professional services networks in the world, offering audit, assurance, tax, consulting, advisory, actuarial, corporate finance, and legal services.

Autos

Short for automobiles, referring to vehicles that operate independently without human push or pull, primarily cars and trucks used for transportation.

Accounting

The systematic process of recording, analyzing, summarizing, and reporting financial transactions of a business or individual.