How Does Electron Kinetic Energy Affect Barrier Penetration Probability?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculation of the distance at which the probability of finding an electron with 100 eV of kinetic energy falls to 1/e when incident on a potential barrier of height 110 eV. The wavefunction is described by the equation Ψ = Ae-βx, where β is defined as β² = (2M(E1 - E2)) / ħ, with M being the electron mass and energies in SI units. The inquiry also touches on the implications of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle in relation to the electron's behavior near the barrier.

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r-dizzel
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uncertain about this??

evenin' all!
wonder if anyone can help...

the question is this-

(sorry by the way if this is wrong place to post this, bit of a newbee!)

an electron has 100eV of kinetic energy, its incident on a potential barrier of height 110eV. At what distance x does the probability of finding the electron fall to 1/e of its value at x = 0? compare this with what might of be expeceted from Heisenbergs uncertainty principle.

ive calculated the wavefunctions in and before the boundary but don't really understand what the questions asks "falls to 1/e of its original value"? surely e on its own is meaningless?

the final part about the Heisenbergs unc princ i get but i thought i'd complete the questions.

would really appreciate any help

over and out

r dizzel
 
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The solution of Shrödinger function decreases as:
[tex]\Psi= Ae^{-\beta x}[/tex]
where
[tex]\beta^2={2M(E_1-E_2) \over \hbar}[/tex]
M is the electron mass and the energies must be in SI units.
 

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