How does an atomic element jump the Quantum fence?

In summary: Sorry, I don't understand what you are asking. Are you looking for a scientific definition of quantum tunneling or something?
  • #1
jusme
3
0
I am at loss to understand (from a layman's point of view...with some math-stuff, too) how an element's electron(s) can jump the quantum fence. An element, any element, as shown on the periodic table, has certain characteristics within its 'earthly' domain, the 3-D world we live in. What causes the electron(s) of this element to jump the fence...the area that lies in between the quantum domain and our everyday 3-D domain? Please excuse the way in which I am putting this question across, but for me, right now, it is the best I can muster up for the moment.

Is there a certain 'something' that pushes or pulls an electron(s) across the quantum barrier? Is there possibly a quantum periodic table of the elements?

I had asked this of someone versed in chemistry and was told to look into 'Cooper pairing', being naturals, Linked and twin-Linked pairs. For now I will gladly accept an asnwer to the question I just put up.

I would greatly appreciate a point in a good direction for more information to satisfy my own curiousity.

Thank you for reading this!

Regards,
Justme
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
There is no quantum fence/barrier that electrons jump to enter some new quantum world. Where did you get this idea ?
 
  • #3
Some time ago I read a book by Deepak Chopra where he was discussing how the human body could (seemingly) produce what it needs to fullfill a need for a particular state of bodily health...from what appeared to be out of nowhere; neural transmitters/endomorphines, etc. seemd to magically materalize when needed! An endlss supply from what appeared to be a mystical horn-of-plenty. The author used simple graphices to illustrate his point by showing a line where the area above the line was the real physcial world, and that under the line represented the mysterous area from which the material(s) came from. Hence the so-called quantum leap of a material over a fence (the drawn line in his illustration).
 
  • #4
The only thing with barriers with electrons that I know of is about electron tunnelling.

Signlalling hormones in the body don't just 'pop up', they are part of complex chemical reactions creating them.
 
  • #5
jusme said:
Some time ago I read a book by Deepak Chopra where he was discussing how the human body could (seemingly) produce what it needs to fullfill a need for a particular state of bodily health...from what appeared to be out of nowhere; neural transmitters/endomorphines, etc. seemd to magically materalize when needed! An endlss supply from what appeared to be a mystical horn-of-plenty. The author used simple graphices to illustrate his point by showing a line where the area above the line was the real physcial world, and that under the line represented the mysterous area from which the material(s) came from. Hence the so-called quantum leap of a material over a fence (the drawn line in his illustration).

I would strongly suggest that you do not use Deepak Chopra as a "source" to explain any physics. Metaphysical mysticism also is not physics, and does not belong in this part of PF.

Zz.
 
  • #6
jusme said:
I am at loss to understand (from a layman's point of view...with some math-stuff, too) how an element's electron(s) can jump the quantum fence. An element, any element, as shown on the periodic table, has certain characteristics within its 'earthly' domain, the 3-D world we live in. What causes the electron(s) of this element to jump the fence...the area that lies in between the quantum domain and our everyday 3-D domain? Please excuse the way in which I am putting this question across, but for me, right now, it is the best I can muster up for the moment.

Your question here is a rather vague. From what I can gather, you are trying to figure out where is the boundary between quantum and classical world. If it is, then I'm highly confused why you only concentrate on "electrons", since these aren't the only particle, or even system, that are governed by QM description.

But then again, it could be interpreted as you wanting to know how electron tunnels, or how they jump from being in atomic orbitals to free particles, etc... etc. I'm not sure if any meaningful responses can come out of this till there's something clearer.

Zz.
 
  • #7
Much thanks to ZapperZ and echoSwe for their time (and trouble) trying to give an answer to the original question I posted. It would be best for this thread to end right here...and for me to head on out to Physcis 101.
Thanks for your help.

Jusme
 
  • #8
Since the OP question seems to relate to biochemistry, maybe this helps

In "normal" chemistry the formation of a molecule requires a specific activation energy.
In biological systems (and other setups - see catalyst) the same reaction occurs without supplying that activation energy.
Generally this is due to forced reactant alignment allowing quantum tunneling to occur.

I suppose you could call this something for nothing.
However
Quantum tunneling is not unique to biological systems, almost anything electronic requires tunneling for it to work.
 
  • #9
jusme said:
Much thanks to ZapperZ and echoSwe for their time (and trouble) trying to give an answer to the original question I posted. It would be best for this thread to end right here...and for me to head on out to Physcis 101.
Thanks for your help.

Jusme
This is truly heartwarming to read. All the best !
 

Related to How does an atomic element jump the Quantum fence?

1. How does an atomic element jump the Quantum fence?

An atomic element can jump the Quantum fence through a process called quantum tunneling. This is when the element has enough energy to pass through the potential barrier created by the fence, due to its wave-like behavior at the subatomic level.

2. What determines whether or not an atomic element can jump the Quantum fence?

The energy level of the element and the height and width of the potential barrier are the main determining factors. If the energy of the element is high enough and the barrier is narrow enough, then it has a higher probability of quantum tunneling.

3. Can all atomic elements jump the Quantum fence?

Yes, all atomic elements have the potential to quantum tunnel, but the probability of it happening varies based on their energy levels and the properties of the potential barrier.

4. Why is quantum tunneling important for atomic elements?

Quantum tunneling is important for atomic elements because it allows them to overcome energy barriers that would be impossible to surmount through classical means. This phenomenon also plays a crucial role in many quantum technologies, such as transistors and scanning tunneling microscopes.

5. Are there any real-life applications of atomic elements jumping the Quantum fence?

Yes, there are several real-life applications of quantum tunneling. It is used in electronic devices like transistors, in quantum computing, and in medical imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Similar threads

  • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
41
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
875
Back
Top