The Explanation Context Of Energy-Time Uncertainty Relation

There has been much controversy surrounding energy and time uncertainty relation (ETUR) since Heisenberg established it in 1927. The controversy is mainly on the reference of ΔE and Δt, and the meaning of ΔE · Δt ≥ h/2. Physicists based on different pre-suppositions, explained it differently. The development of the theory of scientific explanation shows explanation context can play an effective role in the explanation of scientific theory. Analysing it in explanation context can clarify different references and meanings of the ETUR, can find out where the difference locates. The article begins with the establishment of the ETUR and its disputation, argues the rationality of the use of explanation context here, then analyses the different explanations of the ETUR and educes three different explanation contexts, as epistemological, ontological and semasiological, considering the reference, meaning and its extended meaning in quantum mechanics as the elements of explanation context. The epistemological explanation context reveals the interaction between subject and object, the ontological explanation context describes the character of object and the semasiological explanation context is a strong demonstration of the ETUR. The three different explanation contexts are related with their different references and meanings. The article discusses the ETUR from the aspect of philosophical meaning, presents a clear picture of the reference and meaning of the ETUR and overcomes the confusion surrounding the explanation of the ETUR. The conclusion is that explanation context is a helpful attempt in scientific explaining.