The energy-time uncertainty principle and quantum phenomena

We employ the energy-time uncertainty principle to provide heuristic yet helpful insights into tunneling, Unruh radiation, the Schwinger effect, and the ground state of the electromagnetic field. The position-momentum uncertainty principle is employed in auxiliary roles. We also discuss the similarities and differences between quantum and thermal fluctuations.(C) (C) 2010 American Association of Physics Teachers. [DOI: 10.1119/1.3133084]