potential well
Quick Summary
In physics, a potential well is a region where the potential energy is lower than in surrounding areas. This concept is crucial in quantum mechanics, where it describes phenomena not seen in classical physics.12
A key aspect is tunneling. In classical physics, a particle with energy less than the potential barrier height would remain trapped. However, in quantum mechanics, the particle has a probability of tunneling through the barrier, even if its energy is lower. This phenomenon is vital for understanding processes like radioactive decay, specifically alpha decay, where alpha particles escape atomic nuclei.2
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