The phenomenon of quantum tunneling is a peculiar behavior observed at the quantum scale, where particles can pass through potential barriers that would be classically impenetrable. This behavior is described by quantum mechanics, which governs the behavior of subatomic particles.
In the case of protons in a star, quantum tunneling can occur because individual protons are governed by quantum mechanical principles. Quantum mechanics allows particles to exist in a superposition of states and exhibit wave-like properties. When a proton encounters a potential barrier, there is a finite probability that it can tunnel through the barrier and appear on the other side, even if its energy is lower than the height of the barrier.
On the other hand, macroscopic objects like cups and tables are made up of an incredibly large number of particles. While individual subatomic particles making up the cup, such as electrons and protons, can theoretically exhibit quantum tunneling, the probability of all particles tunneling simultaneously through a macroscopic object is extremely low.
In macroscopic systems, such as cups and tables, the behavior of individual particles averages out, and their wave-like properties become negligible. These systems can be accurately described by classical physics, which does not account for quantum effects like tunneling on a macroscopic scale.
Therefore, while quantum tunneling is a possibility for individual particles, it does not occur at the macroscopic level due to the statistical averaging of particle behavior and the dominance of classical physics in describing macroscopic objects.