Question: Even the smoothest mirror finishes are rough when viewed at a scale of 100 nm. When two very smooth metals are placed in contact with

Even the smoothest mirror finishes are “rough” when viewed at a scale of 100 nm. When two very smooth metals are placed in contact with each other, the actual distance between the surfaces varies from 0 nm at a few points of real contact to ≈100 nm. The average distance between the surfaces is ≈50 nm. The work function of aluminum is 4.3 eV. What is the probability that an electron will tunnel between two pieces of aluminum that are 50 nm apart? Give your answer as a power of 10 rather than a power of e.

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