Barrier Penetration

Barrier penetration refers to the ability of particles, such as electrons or ions, to pass through energy barriers that they would typically not have enough energy to overcome. This phenomenon is prominent in quantum mechanics, where particles can "tunnel" through barriers due to their wave-like nature. Unlike classical physics, which states that particles need sufficient energy to surpass a barrier, quantum mechanics allows for this unique behavior. Barrier penetration is crucial in technologies like semiconductors and nuclear fusion, as it plays a significant role in processes such as electron movement and reaction rates at a subatomic level.