Ratnadeep Das Choudhury
13 Jul 2019
This heat is created by the sun, which we all know. But, what we don’t know is that: How sun create this amount of heat???
This is summer season in northern hemisphere….right???
And summer season is all about hotness of weather….
This hotness is created by the sun, which we all know. But, what we don’t know is that: How sun create this amount of heat???
There is a complex process behind the creation of this heat and in scientific terms it is called nuclear fusion.
In simple terms if anyone wants to explain it, it can be explained as follows:
Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei are combined to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons). To fuse two or more atomic nuclei we need huge amount of energy and heat so that, nuclei come closer and strong nuclear force comes into play as it is a
But there is a lot more in it…
When astronomers measured the temperature they found that the temperature of sun is way less than the required temperature to fuse.
Also, the colliding nuclei are all positively charged. So, whenever they come close enough to collide they shouldn’t collide as per the law of repulsion.
In other words, the sun should not shine whatsoever. But we all know that it’s not true.
And here is the point where quantum tunneling comes into play…..
Quantum tunneling is a peculiar phenomenon where particles or atoms have certain probability of surpassing a barrier, even though they don’t have enough energy to surpass it.
For example, just imagine you throw a ball against a wall and it appeared on the other side of the wall or inside the wall. It’s quite strange right???
Quantum world is full of bizarre phenomenon like this.
But how this phenomenon can be explained???
Are there any theories by which we can explain Quantum Tunneling???
Quantum Tunneling can be explained using the principle of superposition and uncertainty principle.
Now the question is: How???
In my previous article about quantum tunneling I told you about the low temperature problem of sun according to which sun should cease to exist. But this is according to classical physics.
However, when we try to solve the problem using quantum approach, it magically solves!!!
Quantum superposition states that the nuclei of an atom can be at different places at the same time which denotes that there is a certain probability for them to approach and fuse together.
On the other hand, uncertainty principle states that there is always uncertainty regarding the momentum of an object so, one or both nuclei obtain immense velocity or momentum and fuse.
So, using both of these theories we can easily explain quantum tunneling…Cheers!!!