How Does Quantum Tunneling Challenge Classical Physics Concepts?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of charged particles from space penetrating a barrier and neutralizing the charges of protons and electrons in the barrier. This would affect the probability function and could potentially alter spontaneous decay rates. However, there is no evidence to support this theory and it goes against established principles in quantum mechanics. It is suggested that further research and evidence is needed before considering this possibility.
  • #1
Rothiemurchus
203
1
In quantum mechanics particles which do not classically have
enough energy to pass through a barrier do so.
But surely there is no mystery here if the energy of the
barrier is not as great as it is thought to be.
Charged particles from space could be penetrating
the barrier and cancelling out the charges of protons
and electrons in the barrier from time to time.
In other words the probability function is a reflection
of the chance of finding these charged particles in a given region of
space.Has this possibility be considered before in the literature?
 
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  • #2
Rothiemurchus said:
...
Charged particles from space could be penetrating
the barrier and cancelling out the charges of protons
and electrons in the barrier from time to time.
In other words the probability function is a reflection
of the chance of finding these charged particles in a given region of
space...

If that were true, then we would be able to alter spontaneous decay rates simply by shielding (or increasing) the external particle flux. Wouldn't that be nice!
However, it is appropriate to seek the 'cause' of barrier penetration. It is far more beneficial, for example, to recognize that spontaneous emisson is a result, (at least in part), of the fluctuations in the vacuum fields.

Creator

--"It is bad luck to be superstitious".--
 
  • #3
Creator:
If that were true, then we would be able to alter spontaneous decay rates simply by shielding (or increasing) the external particle flux
Rothie M:
Some fluxes e.g. dark matter (perhaps dark energy) are hard to detect never mind
alter!
 
  • #4
Rothiemurchus said:
Creator:
If that were true, then we would be able to alter spontaneous decay rates simply by shielding (or increasing) the external particle flux
Rothie M:
Some fluxes e.g. dark matter (perhaps dark energy) are hard to detect never mind
alter!

You can't change the rules midstream. You offered the scenario of CHARGED PARTICLES penetrating a barrier. Dark matter and dark energy are not "charged particles", which are easily detected. So to bring them in as soon as someone offered a convincing counter argument to your original scenario is very deceiving.

Furthermore, what Creator said might be altered is the DECAY RATES, not the penetrating stuff themselves.

Zz.
 
  • #5
It is my personal belief that dark energy is a flux of charged particles moving close to light speed that can be concentrated by galactic magnetic feld lines and push stars
towards the galactic centre causing anomalously high velocities for them.And because dark energy is found everywhere it is a candidate that could account for some charge cancellation in barriers (by barrier I mean for example a thin piece of paper).
As for decay rates: a down quark becomes an up quark when a neutron becomes a proton.But if particles in the charge cancelling flux do not get close to the down quark
- the weak force happens over 10^-17 m or less - they will not cancel its charge "locally".
In the case of a whole proton in a paper barrier,the proton could be surrounded and neutralised.
 
  • #6
Rothiemurchus said:
It is my personal belief that dark energy is a flux of charged particles moving close to light speed that can be concentrated by galactic magnetic feld lines and push stars
towards the galactic centre causing anomalously high velocities for them.And because dark energy is found everywhere it is a candidate that could account for some charge cancellation in barriers (by barrier I mean for example a thin piece of paper).
As for decay rates: a down quark becomes an up quark when a neutron becomes a proton.But if particles in the charge cancelling flux do not get close to the down quark
- the weak force happens over 10^-17 m or less - they will not cancel its charge "locally".
In the case of a whole proton in a paper barrier,the proton could be surrounded and neutralised.

That's it. This thread is doomed to the Theory Development section. Congratulations!

Zz.
 
  • #7
There is nothing unreasonable in what I have said.
 
  • #8
Rothiemurchus said:
There is nothing unreasonable in what I have said.

Your whole scenario is based on your PERSONAL BELIEF without (i) citation to existing body of work; (ii) without bothering to back it up to any existing theoretical foundation and (iii) lack of experimental verification, both qualitatively and quantitatively. And you think this is REASONABLE?

Oy vey!

Zz.
 
  • #9
Rothiemurchus,
We really do not care what you think is true. What we care about are the results of QM. When your ideas counter QM you need to change your ideas, not QM.


Once again, with insufficient knowledge of a system there is no way to think outside of the box, simply because you have no idea where the box is.
 

What is barrier penetration energy?

Barrier penetration energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a particle to overcome a potential barrier and enter a new region of space. It is a concept commonly used in quantum mechanics to explain how particles can move through barriers even if they do not have enough energy to overcome them.

How is barrier penetration energy calculated?

The calculation of barrier penetration energy involves solving the Schrödinger equation, which describes the behavior of particles on a quantum level. It involves considering the potential energy of the barrier and the kinetic energy of the particle, and determining the probability of the particle passing through the barrier based on these factors.

What factors affect barrier penetration energy?

The main factors that affect barrier penetration energy are the height and width of the potential barrier, the mass and velocity of the particle, and the shape of the barrier. A higher and wider barrier, a heavier particle, and a slower velocity all increase the barrier penetration energy required.

What are some real-world applications of barrier penetration energy?

Barrier penetration energy has several practical applications, such as in nuclear fusion reactions, where it is necessary for particles to overcome a potential barrier in order to fuse together. It is also relevant in the study of tunneling in electronic devices, and in the behavior of particles in quantum systems.

Can barrier penetration energy be observed in everyday life?

Barrier penetration energy is a phenomenon that occurs on a quantum level and is not easily observable in everyday life. However, there are some instances where it can be observed, such as in radioactive decay, where particles with insufficient energy to overcome the nuclear barrier are able to escape through quantum tunneling.

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