Quantum Tunneling: Electron or Proton Has Greater Probability?

AI Thread Summary
In quantum tunneling, an electron and a proton with the same energy E do not have the same probability of passing through a potential barrier. The electron, being less massive, moves faster than the proton, which may result in a larger wavefunction amplitude for the electron. This increased amplitude suggests that the electron has a higher probability of tunneling through the barrier compared to the proton. Additionally, the proton's longer wavelength at the same energy contributes to its lower tunneling probability. Overall, the differences in mass and wavefunction characteristics significantly affect their tunneling probabilities.
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 probabilty 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 becuase 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 probabilty 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 wavelenght than the electron at the same energy?
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

Confused about quantum tunneling through 200V not eV
Replies
9
Views
2K
Correct Setup for Finite Difference to Calculate Quantum Tunneling
Replies
2
Views
929
Quantum Tunnelling: Where Does Energy Go?
Replies
3
Views
2K
B Quantum Tunneling different individual transmission probabilities
Replies
2
Views
1K
Barrier Tunneling Probability (Proton)
Replies
3
Views
8K
Work to move electron/proton between the plates of a charged capacitor?
Replies
22
Views
4K
Percentage of Electrons Tunneling Through?
Replies
1
Views
2K
I Quantum Tunneling in the Sun and Conservation of Energy
Replies
2
Views
2K
De Broglie wavelength of electron and proton
Replies
14
Views
3K
I The kinetic energy of proton-electron for a black body
Replies
8
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top