Gamow's Theory of Alpha Decay

Alpha Decay according to Gamow's Theory

• The primary reason for the emission of alpha particles is the tunneling of alpha particles through the potential energy barrier of the nucleus.
• Quantum tunneling plays a crucial role in the process, allowing alpha particles to escape the nucleus despite lacking the energy to classically overcome the barrier.
• Increasing the nuclear charge increases the rate of alpha decay, as it increases the barrier height and enhances the tunneling probability.
• The energy barrier has an inverse relationship with the probability of alpha decay, meaning that a higher energy barrier reduces the probability of alpha decay, and vice versa.