Understanding Alpha Decay: Beyond Quantum Tunneling

In summary, a first year physics student has a question about the probability of a 'heavy' nucleus to decay. They wonder if the probability is equal to the He nucleus probability to tunnel in an alpha decay. However, the tunneling probability is not the only factor, and the Geiger-Nuttall Law can provide more information on the half-life of an alpha decay.
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omiros
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Hello everybody, I am a first year physics student and I have a question about the probability for 'heavy' nucleus to decay.

I was thinking the other day, how can we know the probability for that nucleus to decay. Let's suppose that we have an alpha decay. Is the probability of the nucleus decay, just equals the He nucleus probability to tunnel? If not, what else should we consider?
 
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  • #2
omiros said:
Let's suppose that we have an alpha decay. Is the probability of the nucleus decay, just equals the He nucleus probability to tunnel? If not, what else should we consider?
The tunneling probability is not all there is, but it is a major factor in determining the half-life of an alpha decay. Look up the Geiger-Nuttall Law in Wikipedia, or Google for it.
 
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1. What is quantum tunneling?

Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon in quantum mechanics where a particle can pass through a potential barrier even if it does not have enough energy to overcome it. This is possible due to the probabilistic nature of particles at the quantum level.

2. How does quantum tunneling occur?

Quantum tunneling occurs when a particle with a wave-like behavior approaches a potential barrier. The particle has a certain probability of passing through the barrier, which is determined by its energy and the height and width of the barrier.

3. What is quantum tunneling decay?

Quantum tunneling decay is a type of radioactive decay that occurs when the nucleus of an atom has insufficient energy to overcome the potential barrier of its own binding energy. The nucleus then tunnels through the barrier and decays into a more stable state.

4. Is quantum tunneling important in everyday life?

Quantum tunneling is not directly observable in everyday life, but it plays a crucial role in many technological applications such as transistors, scanning tunneling microscopes, and tunnel diodes. It also helps explain the stability of atoms and the process of radioactive decay.

5. Are there any potential dangers associated with quantum tunneling?

While quantum tunneling is a natural phenomenon, it can also pose a potential danger in certain situations. For example, in electronic devices, it can cause errors in data transmission and storage. It is also a concern in nuclear reactors, where it can lead to unexpected changes in the behavior of radioactive materials.

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