Particle Penetrating through a Potential Barrier

In summary, the question asks how a particle with lower energy than a potential barrier is able to pass through it. The answer lies in the phenomenon of quantum tunneling, where the particle's wavefunction can be found on both sides of the barrier. However, the interpretation of this phenomenon is still a topic of debate.
  • #1
sara79999
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Homework Statement



hey all! i have a relli urgent question that needs to be answered in as much detail as possible...hope someone can help...

Q: How is a particle, with energy of lower value than the potential barrier, able to penetrate through the barrier? (ans cannot have reasons like -cuz it has a non-zero probability of penetrating...more of a descriptive answer---supp to be at least 100 words long, but I am alrite with any kind of help!)


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  • #2
You will probably want to do some searching on the topic of "quantum tunneling" to see what people say about this. It is true that the phenomenon is related to the result that the wavefunction of a particle is found on both sides of a "sufficiently" narrow barrier, but exactly how this is to be interpreted has been the subject of, shall we say, some discussion...
 

FAQ: Particle Penetrating through a Potential Barrier

1. What is a potential barrier?

A potential barrier is a region in space where a particle experiences a higher energy than its surrounding environment. This creates a barrier that the particle must overcome in order to continue moving.

2. How does a particle penetrate through a potential barrier?

There are a few ways in which a particle can penetrate through a potential barrier. One way is through quantum tunneling, where the particle has a small probability of passing through the barrier due to its wave-like nature. Another way is through thermal energy, where the particle gains enough energy to overcome the barrier.

3. What factors affect the probability of a particle penetrating through a potential barrier?

The probability of a particle penetrating through a potential barrier depends on a few factors, such as the energy of the particle, the height and width of the barrier, and the shape of the barrier. The particle's mass and the strength of the potential barrier also play a role.

4. Can a particle penetrate through a potential barrier with 100% probability?

No, it is impossible for a particle to penetrate through a potential barrier with 100% probability. This is due to the inherent randomness and uncertainty in quantum mechanics. Even if the particle has enough energy to overcome the barrier, there is still a small chance that it will be reflected back.

5. What are some real-world applications of particles penetrating through potential barriers?

One of the most common applications is in electronic devices, where particles can tunnel through potential barriers in semiconductors to create an electric current. This is also used in scanning tunneling microscopes, which use quantum tunneling to image surfaces with atomic scale resolution. Additionally, in nuclear fusion reactions, particles must penetrate through potential barriers to overcome the repulsive forces and fuse together.

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