What is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle?

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle has been a staple (and an annoyance) in quantum mechanics ever since Heisenberg wrote down the formula in the early 20th century. In short, it states that you cannot know both the location and the momentum of particles. The more certain you are of one, the less certain you are of the other. Why not? Because everything in the universe behaves like both a particle and a wave at the same time. Now, with the world making leaps in quantum technology (and the possibility of a new technological revolution looming), knowing exactly how precise a measurement you can obtain is very important. In the video below, Chad Orzel navigates this complex concept of quantum physics in a recent TEDTalk.

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