Uncertanty principle is mathematical property of any wave. So, it is inherent property of any object in our world. I can only add what I answered to Mario above - about mathematical origin of UP:

"Heisenberg uncertanty principle comes from wave nature of everything. Waves do not have exact position. Their momentum and position are related by so called Fourie transforms. Infinite wave train has EXACT momentum (but infinitely INEXACT position, because it is infinitely long train). Finite wave train (with finite number of wavelength) has a momentum which is Fourie image of train length, thus uncertain inversely proportional to train length. Say, 10-wavelength train has Fourie-image spread 1/10=10%, 5-waves train has Fourie image spread 1/5 = 20%, and so on. If a photon, or electron, for example have well defined position (say, electron in atom, or photon after passing very fast shutter) their momentum is by definition is very uncertain.

Thus the uncertanty principle - mathematical property of any wave.

Thus, it is NOT lack of our knowledge, or some statistically fluctuating value - it is just a mathematical relationship between position and momentum of any wave."

• I answered above. - luis_hamburgh - September 21, 2001 - 01:16 UTC