Quantum tunnelling is a very fascinating phenomenon which could have many applications in the world, such as quantum tunnelling composites. But it mostly still remains a mystery as to the probability as to the exact mechanics of it. First, we need to see the classical physics side of this problem, to see how the quantum tunnelling phenomenon differs to it.
In classical physics, when we have a ball thrown at a wall, it normally bounces off and comes back, if the force the ball is thrown with is not enough to break through the wall. But at a quantum level, so at the level of protons, electrons or neutrons, something different can occur. In the quantum world, there is a concept called a wave-particle duality. So in this concept, matter and energy (like light, for example), can act like waves sometimes and can act like particles in other times. Also, due to the uncertainty of sub-atomic particles (how random it is), we can never predict its exact momentum or position. So there is a 'wave function' or probability wave proposed by Erwin Schrodinger (an Austrian physicist famous for the "Schrodinger's Cat" concept) which shows the probability of the particle being at a certain location with a certain momentum. The particle is more likely to be in some places than others and the same applies to the momentum. So, when we don't measure it, the particle becomes a wave of possible locations.
Keeping these concepts of quantum mechanics in mind, when an electron (the particle) is hurtling towards the nucleus of an atom, it will normally be repelled. This is due to the electromagnetic field around the nucleus. But, it is possible for the electron to find itself on the other side of the electromagnetic field, however small the probability is.
In classical physics, when we have a ball thrown at a wall, it normally bounces off and comes back, if the force the ball is thrown with is not enough to break through the wall. But at a quantum level, so at the level of protons, electrons or neutrons, something different can occur. In the quantum world, there is a concept called a wave-particle duality. So in this concept, matter and energy (like light, for example), can act like waves sometimes and can act like particles in other times. Also, due to the uncertainty of sub-atomic particles (how random it is), we can never predict its exact momentum or position. So there is a 'wave function' or probability wave proposed by Erwin Schrodinger (an Austrian physicist famous for the "Schrodinger's Cat" concept) which shows the probability of the particle being at a certain location with a certain momentum. The particle is more likely to be in some places than others and the same applies to the momentum. So, when we don't measure it, the particle becomes a wave of possible locations.
Keeping these concepts of quantum mechanics in mind, when an electron (the particle) is hurtling towards the nucleus of an atom, it will normally be repelled. This is due to the electromagnetic field around the nucleus. But, it is possible for the electron to find itself on the other side of the electromagnetic field, however small the probability is.
Comments
Post a Comment