Quantum Tunneling: Electron or Proton Has Greater Probability?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 4K views
GravityGirl
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
An electron and proton with the same energy E approch a potential barrier whose height V is greater than E. Do they have the same probability of getting through? If not, which has a greater probability? Why is that true?

So if the electron and proton have the same energy, that means that the electron must be moving faster than the proton because the proton is more massive. Becuse the electron is moving faster, would its wavefunction have a larger amplitude than that of the proton?

If that is so, then I think the electron is has a higher probability of getting through.


Any thoughts...refrences?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
does it have to do with that fact that a proton has a longer wavelength than the electron at the same energy?