Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon that occurs at the quantum level, where particles can pass through potential energy barriers that would typically be insurmountable according to classical physics. It is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics.
While quantum tunneling is a well-established phenomenon supported by experimental evidence, it is not directly observable in our everyday macroscopic world. The reason for this is that the effects of quantum tunneling are typically only significant at extremely small scales, such as the atomic or subatomic level. These effects become negligible as we move to larger systems due to the exponential decay of the tunneling probability with increasing barrier width and particle mass.
In practical terms, the effects of quantum tunneling are typically observed in experiments conducted in controlled laboratory settings, such as those involving electron tunneling in electronic devices or alpha decay in radioactive substances. These experiments allow scientists to detect and measure the consequences of quantum tunneling indirectly through various techniques and instruments.
So, while you may not have directly witnessed quantum tunneling in your personal experiences, it remains a fundamental aspect of the quantum world, with significant implications for understanding the behavior of particles and systems at the microscopic level.