Quantum tunneling occurs in
A) nuclear fusion.
B) radioactive decay by emission of alpha particles.
C) the scanning tunneling microscope.
D) all of the above.
E) only (b) and (c) above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Quantum tunneling is a quantum mechanical phenomenon where particles move through a barrier that they classically shouldn't be able to pass. It occurs in nuclear fusion, where particles overcome the Coulomb barrier to fuse together; in radioactive decay by alpha particle emission, where the alpha particle tunnels out of the nucleus; and in the operation of scanning tunneling microscopes, which rely on the tunneling of electrons to image surfaces at the atomic level.

Quantum Tunneling Occurs in