Gamow's theory

Gamow's theory explains how atomic nuclei undergo radioactive decay through quantum tunneling. In essence, particles inside a nucleus, like alpha particles, face an energy barrier they typically can't overcome. However, quantum mechanics allows them to "tunnel" through this barrier with a certain probability. This process accounts for the spontaneous, predictable rate at which radioactive substances decay. Gamow's insight was that decay isn't solely about energy levels but also involves the particle's ability to probabilistically pass through barriers, providing a fundamental explanation for nuclear stability and decay rates in atomic nuclei.