Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 40 - One-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics - Exercises and Problems - Page 1214: 39

Answer

$0\%$

Work Step by Step

We know that the probability of tunneling is given by $$ P_{\text{tunnel}} = e^{-2w\eta}\tag 1 $$ Where $ w $ is the width of the barrier, and $\eta$ is the penetration distance which is given by: $$ \eta = \frac{\hbar}{\sqrt{2m(U_0 - E)}} $$ where $ U_0 - E = E_0 $ since the electrons inside metals are bound by a certain energy called the work function $ E_0 $ which is the energy required to release an electron from the metal. $$ \eta = \frac{\hbar}{\sqrt{2mE_0}} $$ Plug the known; $$ \eta = \frac{(1.05 \times 10^{-34})}{\sqrt{2(9.11 \times 10^{-31} )(4.3 \times 1.6 \times 10^{-19} )}}=\bf 9.38 \times 10^{-11}\;\rm m $$ Substitute all the known into (1); $$ P_{\text{tunnel}} = e^{-2(50 \times 10^{-9}) / (9.38 \times 10^{-11})} = e^{-1066} $$ $$ P_{\text{tunnel}} \approx \color{red}{\bf 0\%} $$ Thus, the probability of tunneling between the aluminum pieces is essentially zero.
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