In reply to Eric Walker's message of Fri, 27 Nov 2015 21:28:12 -0600: Hi Eric, [snip] >On Fri, Nov 27, 2015 at 7:29 PM, <mix...@bigpond.com> wrote: > >Note that the Coulomb barrier width is a function of the particle's energy. > > >Not only do we have a simple theoretical argument that the Coulomb barrier >width can be lessened by electron screening, precisely as one might imagine >it could, somewhat independent of the departing alpha-particle's energy, >there is also evidence that this has been accomplished in practice.
Yes, I know, but the presence of more negative charge close to the nucleus increases the energy of the positively charged alpha particle because, not only is it leaving the positively charged nucleus behind, but it now also has extra negatively charged particles ahead of it. In short the "voltage drop" increases. > >Following is one example: > >http://www.google.com/patents/US5076971 > >Eric Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/project.html
