Proton Tunneling

Proton tunneling is a quantum phenomenon where a proton passes through an energy barrier that classical physics would prevent it from crossing. Instead of climbing over the barrier, the proton behaves like a wave, giving it a probability to appear on the other side without needing extra energy. This process occurs in environments like chemical reactions and biological systems, affecting reaction rates and mechanisms. Proton tunneling highlights how quantum mechanics allows particles to behave in ways that defy classical expectations, playing a key role in various natural and scientific processes.