In the context of quantum mechanics, the term "potential barrier" typically refers to a region of space where the potential energy is higher than the energy of a particle. It is a common concept used to describe the behavior of particles encountering barriers in quantum systems.
However, when it comes to throwing a ball against a wall in classical mechanics, the wall is not typically considered as a potential barrier in the same sense as in quantum mechanics. In classical mechanics, the motion of macroscopic objects, such as a thrown ball, is described by classical laws of physics, which do not incorporate the probabilistic and wave-like behavior of quantum particles.
In classical mechanics, the ball's motion against the wall can be understood through concepts such as Newton's laws of motion, conservation of energy, and conservation of momentum. The interaction between the ball and the wall can be explained by the elastic or inelastic collision between the two objects.
In contrast, in quantum mechanics, the behavior of particles is described by wavefunctions and probabilities, and the concept of potential barriers arises in the context of quantum tunneling. Quantum tunneling occurs when a particle can pass through a classically forbidden region or a potential barrier due to the wave-like nature of particles.
Therefore, while the wall can act as a potential barrier for quantum particles, it is not typically considered as such in the classical mechanics of macroscopic objects like a ball.