What is Quantum Tunneling? | Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains…

What is quantum tunnelling? On this explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice dive into quantum physics, thermonuclear fusion, and when quantum particles start misbehaving.

What is the least energy to get to the other side of a hill? A little hint: the answer isn’t “Running Up That Hill.” Learn about wave functions, potential barriers, and quantum wedding crashing. What would it take to merge two hydrogen atoms to make helium? We get into electromagnetic repulsion, thermonuclear fusion, and what temperature you would need to get the hydrogen atoms in order to get them to join. How do stars get these atoms to join? What percent of atom collisions will tunnel? Plus, would we exist without quantum tunnelling?

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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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0:00 - Introduction
1:10 - Potential Barriers
2:21 - Wave Functions
3:34 - Quantum Mechanical Tunneling
4:42 - Where Do We Get Elements?
10:00 - New Physics
10:37 - Faster Than Light Travel
11:30 - Closing Notes

[ballubodalawala]

We need review on new images of James web

[MenelmacarGR]

Neil is so charismatic and explains even the most difficult facts to grasp so smoothly in an easy-to-understand way.

[davidjames]

I'm so happy that this knowledge(startalk) is so accessible and helpful. Learning these things and topics as a human on this earth makes my day everytime. Thank you Niel and Chuck

[AJD...]

Heard the term quantum tunnling lots of time, but this is the best explanation I've ever come across

[nishthaarora]

If only all physics teachers talked this way. 😌

[garrettrussell]

I love the balance that these two bring to the show.

[jag]

Loving the Quantum explainers. Keep them coming! This Quantum Tunneling makes for a good Tshirt. "Why travel, when you're already there?"

[deathlord]

Imagine being friends with Neil and getting to have these conversations on a regular basis.

[Woowoobang]

Hey Neil just wanted to say thanks for rekindling my passion for science and learning. I have worked as an electronic test technician the past few years and just recently started my position as an emc test engineer. I am 42 yrs old and will continue to develop this passion of mine, even though I missed out on some time or was late to the party. I'm here now and here to stay. Thanks Neil, science genuinely makes my life exponentially better.

[Mutual_Information]

How is this video not about James Webb!?

[solidspirit]

Good Stuff Brothers Neil and chuck.

Neil...would you like to co create/develop a high quality Mass Effect style game?

But instead of all the usual shooting and Miltary elements it's just pure science and Benevolent/intelligent missions, developing human/alien other worldly civilisations, tech, planetary problem solving, with beautiful starship designs, Cinematics, epic star/planet/moon visuals & a great multiple path story.

Much Love 🌍

[Trustfuleevees]

I just love them having a good time explaining this.

I understood quantum tunneling before but explaining that it was because of particle/wave duality and the probability-based nature of the wave state helped me understand why exactly it happens.

[kvsk]

I surprised how easily tyson explained this complicated concept🤗

[desertshadow]

Nice tunneling talk. Eddington was probably sweating it too until Heisenbergs uncertainty principle saved the day for the temperature difference required for the fusion😄

[XxTheAwokenOnexX]

I have always believed portals are possible, and quantim tunneling would a step in that right direction 👍

[debbiehoagland]

Oooh another explainer video! Thank you! I look so forward to these. I just cant get enough of these explainer videos.

[TJ-hsqm]

tunneling is also what makes fusion hard to replicate. There's just not enough stuff in the lab.

[TheBiggreenpig]

Chuck would have his tongue frozen on that Bose-Einstein condensate.

[georged]

If we come from and are made from the universe and stars just imagine the energy we can harness from ourselves...The universe is just full of energy, we just need to figure out how to harness this energy..What a time to be alive WOW 🙏🏽💪👍🏾

[manslaughterinc.]

Question about the collapse of a wave function. Does a wave function collapse for a photon if it is manipulated by gravity? If not, can gravity skew the function to probabilistically land on the other side of the potential barrier? But if it does collapse, does it return to a probabilistic state after it leaves the gravitational field?