Tunneling equation have all the pieces, just can't figure out the calculation

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the calculation of the tunneling equation T=[1 + (V0^2 sinh^2(kL)) / 4E(V0-E)]-1, where V0=10eV, kL=9.2, and E=5eV. The user struggles to arrive at the correct answer of 4.1 x 10^-8, repeatedly obtaining an incorrect result of 100. A key clarification provided is that Planck's constant is unnecessary for this calculation, and the hyperbolic sine function (sinh) must be correctly utilized. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding mathematical functions in physics equations.

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j2dabizo
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Tunneling equation...have all the pieces, just can't figure out the calculation!

Hi,
I have an example from my book on Tunneling. All the parts of the equation are given, including the answer...put I keep coming up with the inccorect answer.

Maybe someone can clarify how to calculate the correct answer?

Here is the equation given:

T=[ 1 + (V02 sinh2(kL)) / 4E(V0-E)]-1

Hope that is readable..sorry, I tried to paste and copy the equation from a bunch of sites and it just wouldn't copy. If anyone can paste the equation that would be helpful, thanks.

Given V0= 10eV
h= plank constant (4.1359E-15 ev*s)
kL= 9.2
E= 5eV

so...the book states:

T= [1+ (10eV)2 sinh2(9.2) / 4(5eV)(5eV)]-1
= 4.1 x 10-8

How did they get this answer...everytime i do i I get an answer of 100!

Help please. thanks.
 
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j2dabizo said:
Hi,
I have an example from my book on Tunneling. All the parts of the equation are given, including the answer...put I keep coming up with the inccorect answer.

Maybe someone can clarify how to calculate the correct answer?

Here is the equation given:

T=[ 1 + (V02 sinh2(kL)) / 4E(V0-E)]-1

Hope that is readable..sorry, I tried to paste and copy the equation from a bunch of sites and it just wouldn't copy. If anyone can paste the equation that would be helpful, thanks.

Given V0= 10eV
h= plank constant (4.1359E-15 ev*s)
kL= 9.2
E= 5eV

so...the book states:

T= [1+ (10eV)2 sinh2(9.2) / 4(5eV)(5eV)]-1
= 4.1 x 10-8

How did they get this answer...everytime i do i I get an answer of 100!

Help please. thanks.

There shouldn't be any need to use Planck's constant in that equation ... perhaps you are not aware that sinh is a single mathematical function called the hyperbolic sine (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbolic_function)? It should be available on your calculator, but if not, you can use the following identity to calculate it:

[tex]2sinh(x)=e^x - e^{-x}[/tex]

Hope that helps.

Hope that helps.
 
Last edited by a moderator:


SpectraCat said:
There shouldn't be any need to use Planck's constant in that equation ... perhaps you are not aware that sinh is a single mathematical function called the hyperbolic sine (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbolic_function)? It should be available on your calculator, but if not, you can use the following identity to calculate it:

[tex]2sinh(x)=e^x - e^{-x}[/tex]

Hope that helps.

Hope that helps.

this was my issue..thanks! Too many constants! lol
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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