The effects of wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle are not readily observable in our daily lives for several reasons:
Scale: The effects of quantum mechanics, including wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle, become significant at the microscopic scale of atoms, molecules, and subatomic particles. In our everyday macroscopic world, objects are composed of an incredibly large number of particles, and their collective behavior averages out the quantum effects. This is known as the classical limit, where the probabilistic behavior of quantum systems gives way to the deterministic behavior of classical physics.
Sensitivity: Observing quantum effects requires precise control and measurement techniques. Quantum phenomena typically involve extremely small scales and delicate interactions. The level of sensitivity and precision required to observe these effects is beyond the capabilities of our everyday senses and most macroscopic instruments.
Environmental Interaction: Quantum systems are highly susceptible to interactions with their environment. Any interaction, such as air molecules colliding with particles or the presence of stray electromagnetic fields, can quickly disrupt quantum behavior and cause decoherence. This makes it challenging to isolate quantum systems from their surroundings in our daily environments.
Statistical Nature: The effects of wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle manifest themselves through statistical behavior. Quantum mechanics provides us with probabilities and distributions of outcomes rather than precise predictions for individual measurements. In our macroscopic world, where large numbers of particles are involved, the statistical behavior becomes averaged out, and the predictions of classical physics become highly accurate.
While quantum effects may not be directly observable in our daily lives, their understanding and application have revolutionized technology in various fields, including electronics, computing, and telecommunications. Quantum mechanics has given rise to technologies such as transistors, lasers, and atomic clocks, which have had a profound impact on our society, despite the effects themselves not being directly apparent on a macroscopic scale.