why does sodium have a doublet?

dynamics

Hi everyone i wanted to know why this is so, i know it has something to do with the quantum numbers but i want to know how and why? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

jtbell

Here's the very first hit from a Google search for "sodium doublet":

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu...um/sodzee.html

dextercioby

It;s actually a quadruplet, as the hyperfine structure further splits each line in the 5890 and 5896 A in another 2.

Gokul43201

Why only 2? Are you neglecting the spin-splitting in the 3p states?

jtbell

A couple of clicks away from the Hyperphysics page I referenced is a really cool example of a sodium lamp!