The Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that the entropy of an isolated system tends to increase over time, is a fundamental principle in physics. It describes the behavior of large-scale systems and the statistical likelihood of certain processes occurring. However, it does not explicitly address the microscopic phenomena such as quantum tunneling.
Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon observed at the quantum scale, where particles can pass through energy barriers that would be classically considered impassable. It arises from the wave-particle duality of quantum mechanics and the probabilistic nature of quantum behavior. Quantum tunneling has been experimentally verified and is a well-established phenomenon in the realm of subatomic particles.
While macroscopic objects like tennis balls are composed of subatomic particles, the wave-like behavior and quantum effects become less significant as the system scales up. Macroscopic objects are subject to classical mechanics, which do not typically allow for quantum tunneling on the macroscopic scale.
The reason scientists don't generally state that macroscopic objects cannot undergo quantum tunneling is because it is exceedingly unlikely due to the incredibly small probabilities involved. The energies and distances involved in macroscopic objects make the likelihood of quantum tunneling events effectively negligible. From a practical standpoint, the probabilities are so vanishingly small that it is considered virtually impossible for macroscopic objects to tunnel through energy barriers in everyday scenarios.
While it is technically possible, albeit highly improbable, for a macroscopic object like a tennis ball to tunnel through a barrier under specific conditions, the probabilities involved are so minuscule that it is considered practically impossible within the framework of our current understanding of physics. Therefore, scientists don't typically state that macroscopic objects undergo quantum tunneling because the likelihood of such events occurring is effectively negligible based on our observations and current understanding of the laws of physics.