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tunnel effect

noun

  1. Physics. a quantum-mechanical process by which a particle can pass through a potential energy barrier that is higher than the energy of the particle: first postulated to explain the escape of alpha particles from atomic nuclei.


tunnel effect

noun

  1. physics the phenomenon in which an object, usually an elementary particle, tunnels through a potential barrier even though it does not have sufficient energy to surmount the barrier. It is explained by wave mechanics and is the cause of alpha decay, field emission, and certain conduction processes in semiconductors
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tunnel effect1

First recorded in 1930–35
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Example Sentences

For three hours, we hiked in the shade of arching tree branches that created a tunnel effect.

Stacks of cardboard boxes lined the narrow hallway, creating a tunnel effect.

From Salon

When you do any kind of night hiking, your headlamp can create a tunnel effect, and at first, none of us could see more than a few feet beyond the edge of the road.

“The scenery, seeing the bridge light up, it’s a pretty nice effect, going through the tunnel effect. I know a lot of people come from out of town just to see them.”

“Most of the pollen in New York City actually comes to us along the prevailing winds, which move west to east. The tall buildings can make allergy symptoms worse by creating a ‘wind tunnel’ effect.”

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tunnel diseasetunneling