If you want to understand Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, go after a fly with a swatter

[Xipe Totec]

If you want to appreciate Schrödinger's description of a particle as a wave, observe a fly in an enclosed space.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. You can't know the speed and the location of the fly simultaneously.

[WheelWalker]

2. I think a fly can sense air pressure changes as the flyswatter compresses

the air in front of the swatter as it comes toward it. I think that's why fly swatters are made of screen or otherwise let air pass through the swatter surface. Additionally, I think flies push off in reverse. So an effective swat (given that the fly is sensing the swatter coming and attempts to fly away) is to aim the swat behind the fly. It then takes off into the swatter, and there you have it. The smallest closed box in which one can use a swatter is effectively a bathroom, in my experience. No matter what kind of swatter you have, aim behind the fly. There is less uncertainty that way. If you try to swat a fly on the fly, you're just flailing.

[Xipe Totec]

3. You're talking about swatting flies at rest. Try swatting one in flight

The point is that you will always aim for where the fly was, not where it is.

No sooner have you established position than the velocity will change. You'll swat where you 'think' the fly will be.

[WheelWalker]

4. You are absolutely correct. Swinging at a fly in flight is a fool's errand.

You can only get lucky... maybe once in a thousand swings. A bee moves slower so the odds improve somewhat. Have patience, Grasshopper. The fly will alight and it is then that the hunter shall strike. Patience, Grasshopper. Patience.

[Xipe Totec]

5. But the point is to find a biological model of the lepton, not just kill flies.

[WheelWalker]

6. I see. My bad.

We're not in the Lounge, after all.

[Igel]

7. No, you just have to have the right tool.

I find that a standard high-school science text book is just about right, provided that you have a good swing, absolutely aim at it from behind (or at the very least from the side) and don't mind taking a few minutes cleaning the book and looking for the fly. It's possible with a fly swatter, but the larger area makes it easier--and from behind makes it less likely that the fly's going to detect or be able to react to the on-rushing surface.

I have worse luck when the fly's sitting still and I use a fly swatter.

If the fly continues to annoy me I get a bottle, put something flies like in the bottom, and wait for it/them to trap it/themselves.

[Brother Buzz]

8. You don't need no stinking tools if you're good