Potential well and potential barrier, Physics

Assignment Help:

Q. Explain what do you understand by the terms potential well and potential barrier. How does a particle with energy lesser than the barrier height tunnels through its quantum mechanically? Give one example.

Sol. Consider a particle of energy E is incident from the left on a rectangular potential barrier of height and width and on both sides of this barrier at which means that no force act upon the particle in this regions. Therefore, the potential function is defined as if a particle having energy E less than then classically the particle will always be reflected completely and hence will not penetrate the barrier. But according to wave mechanics the particles has some probability of penetrating this barrier and appear in region III.

This is called quantum mechanical tunneling or tunnel effect. According to this, if a particle is moving towards the barrier with energy E less than the height of potential barrier, then it is not necessary to reflect completely by the barrier but there is always a probability of particle to cross the barrier and continue its forward motion.


Related Discussions:- Potential well and potential barrier

Determine atomic number and the number of neutrons, An atom has the electro...

An atom has the electronic configuration of .1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 2 3p 6 3d 10 4s 2 4p 5 . Its atomic weight is 80. Its atomic number and the number of neutrons in its nucleus

Mechanics, components of force in two given direction

components of force in two given direction

Centre of gravity, CENTRE OF GRAVITY: Consider a body as an accumu...

CENTRE OF GRAVITY: Consider a body as an accumulation of many small masses (molecules), all subject to gravitational attraction.  The total weight, which is a force , is

What is the standard calomel electrode? , The Saturated calomel electrode (...

The Saturated calomel electrode (SCE) is a reference electrode based on the reaction among elemental mercury & mercury (I) chloride. The aqueous phase in contact with the mercury a

Sound and light waves, Difference among sound and light waves: (i) For p...

Difference among sound and light waves: (i) For propagation of sound rays material phase is required but no material medium is needed for light waves. (ii)Sound rays are long

A see-saw lever, A see-saw lever Get a thick plank about 3 m long and b...

A see-saw lever Get a thick plank about 3 m long and bring it into the class room. Balance it over a box or some other suitable device and let the pupils experiment with the se

A 35-kg child is riding on a swing that rises to a maximum h, Neglecting fr...

Neglecting friction, what is the child''s gravitational potential energy at the top of the swing? What is the child''s kinetic energy at the top of the swing?

Galvanometer, With the help of neat & labelled diagram. Explain the princip...

With the help of neat & labelled diagram. Explain the principle & working of a moving coil galvanometer. What is importance of radial magnetic field.

Newtons ring.., why the centre of newton ring is black

why the centre of newton ring is black

Derive the relation at spherical surface concave, Derive the mathematical r...

Derive the mathematical relation connecting n,u,v and R for refraction at a spherical surface concave towards a point object in a denser medium.

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd