Spin Definition and 1000 Threads

  1. P

    Atomic Nucleus Spin: Theory & Explanation

    Is there a theoretical basis for the spin of the nucleus of an arbitrary atom? I'm looking at this website: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/nspin.html
  2. J

    What does a spin 1/2 wave function actually look like

    I have only ever seen the wavefunction for a spin 1/2 particle written in the basis set |α> |β>. I was interested in how a wavefunction |ψ> = a|α> + b|β> might be rewritten in a continuous basis and hence would need to know what the actual functions of |α> & |β> were. Thanks
  3. L

    Particle Spin - how to cause change to direction

    Everywhere I read about the angular momentum / spin of electrons and how a 1/2 spin particle has a unique characteristic that you need to turn it 720 degrees in order to get it turned back to where it was before you started turning it. How exactly do people "turn" an electron in this fashion...
  4. Tranceform

    What causes a radiometer to spin in bright light?

    Homework Statement The photograph shows a device called a radiometer. The four regular panels are black on one side and shiny like a mirror on the other side. In bright light, the panel arrangement spins around in a direction from the black side of a panel toward the shiny side. Do photon...
  5. A

    Spin, linear momentum and orbital angular momentum

    How to prove when electron spin is perpendicular to linear momentum, orbital angular momentum can't be 0. And when they are paralleled, orbital angular momentum is 0. Thanks.
  6. L

    Design help -- concentric rings that spin within themselves

    I'm trying to design mechanism similar to this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1JNWnTpmkA where i have concentric rings that spin within them selves around x, y and z axis. I intend to use track roller cam follower bearings to support each ring, with a bearing width of 10mm and a...
  7. kroni

    Spin and torsion of the connection

    Hello, I read in an article that in GR it is possible to use a connection with torsion to model ponctual particle with spin. The connection can be decomposed in a curvatue part and a torsion part. In an other part, we know that the invariance under pointcarré group imply conservation of spin of...
  8. H

    Does Magnetic Field (=/need) electron spin + movement of charge?

    Does Magnetic Field (=/need) electron spin + movement of charge? A proton can create a magnetic field too, but does it have spins as well? Hmm super confused. What is a spin?
  9. S

    Relation between harmonic oscillator potential and spin

    Homework Statement The spin 1/2 electrons are placed in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential of angular frequency ω. If a measurement of $$S_z$$ of the system returns $$\hbar$$. What is the smallest possible energy of the system? Homework Equations...
  10. LarryS

    Spin Direction for Massless Particles

    Mass-less particles travel at the speed of light. If such a particle has an intrinsic spin, the DIRECTION of the spin angular momentum vector must be in the same direction as the linear motion of the particle. Why exactly is that? Thanks in advance.
  11. 4

    Spin precession vs alignment in magnetic field

    The spin of an arbitrarily oriented electron precesses in the presence of a magnetic field (see Feyman lectures 10-7). The energy states also split due to magnetic fields (see Feynman lectures 12-4). I am trying to understand how to think about spin precession, spin flipping, and spin...
  12. G

    Direct product of space and spin in hadrons

    The uuu hadron doesn't violate Pauli's exclusion principle presumably because there is color. But even without color, can't the uuu exist if spatial wavefunctions are different? Suppose one u quark is located at r1, another at r2, and another at r3, and say that all three u quarks have spin up...
  13. N

    Change of spin during dipolar bond

    OK so we have a dipolar bond between two elements. This bond makes the other electrons redistribute in order to rest in peace. Everything's OK up until now. What happens, however, when two of these other electrons have the same spin an yet they end up together because of this redistribution? I...
  14. C

    Free electrons and intrinsic spin magnetic dipole moment orientation?

    Are there any experiments or theories about the relation between magnetic dipole moment orientation and velocity vector of free electrons?
  15. P

    Changing the basis of Pauli spin matrices

    Homework Statement Find the matrix representation of S_z in the S_x basis for spin 1/2. Homework Equations I have the Pauli matrices, and I also have the respective kets derived in each basis. There aren't really any relevant equations, other than the eigenvalue equations for the...
  16. ShayanJ

    How composite particles have definite spin?

    Consider a composite particle. Its spin is determined by the spins of its constituent particles. But the constituent particles are in a superposition of different spin states and so don't have a definite spin. So it seems it shouldn't be possible to ascribe a definite spin to the composite...
  17. N

    Why is spin number half integer, especially +1/2,-1/2 for electrons?

    Ok guys, I know this must be pretty basic for but I am new to this section of physics. Anyway, my question is a two-part one, I guess: 1) Why does the spin number get only half integer values in fermions and integer values in bosons, mesons, etc.? 2) How do we conclude that the spin number is...
  18. carllacan

    Why does rotational invariance have to do with spin?

    Hi. According to Griffiths the conmutation relations for the angular momentum and spin operators conmutation relations can be deduced from the rotational invariance, as in Ballentine 3.3. For the angular momentum seems logical that it is so, but how is it that rotational invariance leads to...
  19. WannabeNewton

    Spin precession Killing fields

    Hello. I was going through the problems in the angular momentum chapter of the text "Problem Book in Relativity and Gravitation"-Lightman et al in preparation for a project and I came upon part (c) of problem 11.10. It basically starts with a family of observers with 4-velocity ##u^{\mu} =...
  20. Symmetry777

    Unraveling the Atomic Spin: Understanding the Building Blocks of Matter

    What gives an atom its atomic spin?
  21. S

    How to determine torque required to spin a fan?

    So I want to design a propeller that will slow down a motor and I want to know what formulas or equations I would use to calculate that torque. Also, if I decided I wanted to run it in a fluid, what it just be a matter of density change? I have attached a picture of what I want to do. Thanks
  22. LarryS

    Spin vs Dirac Equation: Understanding Physical Spin

    I believe I understand the mathematical derivation of the Dirac equation. I understand how the four 4X4 matrices, and their relation to the 2X2 Pauli Matrices, arise from that derivation. I understand that the 3 spin observables for Fermions are ALSO represented by the 3 Pauli Matrices...
  23. R

    Spin assumption for fermions in potential well.

    Hi, Assume I’m solving a 2-particle (fermions) problem in a potential well. If I set the wavefunction as anti-symmetric, then by default I’m assuming that the two particles has the same spin and hence exchange interaction has to be accommodated for. But what if the 2 fermions have different...
  24. T

    Zeroth component of Spin 4-Vector

    The spin 4-vector is defined in the rest frame of the particle as s^{\mu}= (0, \vec{s}). Why is the zeroth component of the same zero in this frame?
  25. T

    Helicity is different form Spin for massless particle(photon)?

    As we know photon's helicity are \pm1. Helicity is the projection of the spin S onto the direction of momentum, p, which is considered as Sz. What about Sx and Sy? They are both ZERO?
  26. I

    Photon's spin and orbital angular momentum

    "Locally, the spin density S is an intrinsic (i.e. origin-independent) quantity, which is associated with the local ellipticity of the polarization of light. In turn, the orbital AM density L=r x P0 is a manifestly extrinsic (origin-dependent) and is produced by the corresponding canonical...
  27. G

    Earth Spin and Rotation: Effects of Fast and Heavy Objects

    If a fast moving and heavy object strikes earth,can it change its spin or rotation or both?
  28. 1

    Is it Possible to Spin an Atom without Breaking it Apart?

    i mean, people are creating LHC to split the atoms, but why don't we just spin it? spin in in high speed and see if a quark/photon/electron would break can we not do that? is it mathematically impossible to have a mass in the center of rotation?
  29. C

    Stern Gerlach Experiment and Spin

    I'm trying to get my head around this spin idea, the idea that particles behave like tiny dipole magnets when passing through a magnet field, either spin up or spin down. Because unlike magnets they don't produce a spread on at the end, they are either top or bottom. So the problem I have...
  30. sweetdreams12

    Stern-Gerlach spin probability

    So I've just been reading about the Stern-Gerlach apparatus/experiment and had some questions about the half spin probabilities... First let's say a collection of spin-half particles are sent through a S-G apparatus (which I know measures the z component of particles spin angular momentum)...
  31. E

    Projective representations of the spin group

    To define spinors in QM, we consider the projective representations of SO(n) that lift to linear representations of the double cover Spin(n). Why don't we consider projective representations of Spin?
  32. C

    Understanding Coupled Spin Operators

    Trying to get my head around this one. Given that you can have a proton and an electron in a hydrogen atom for example, and they can create a singlet or triplet configuration, with spin 1 and spin 0 respectively. The total spin operator can be derived as: S^2 = (Se + Sp)^2 = Se^2 + Sp^2 +...
  33. C

    Ground state splitting due to spin interaction

    Homework Statement The interaction between the spins of the two particles in a hydrogenic atom can be described by the interaction Hamiltonian $$\hat{H_I} = A \hat{S_1} \cdot \hat{S_2}.$$ Compute the splitting of the ground state due to ##\hat{H_I}##. Both particles have spin 1/2. Homework...
  34. X

    What is the Number of Spin s States for Two Identical Particles?

    Number of Spin "s" States Homework Statement For a system of two identical particles with spin s, determine the number of symmetric and anti-symmetric spin states. 2. The attempt at a solution This does not seem like a problem that is that difficult, but I am having some trouble...
  35. C

    Permenance of Collapsed Wave Function Spin State

    Hello Everyone, General curiosity question. We start with a particle who is in superposition. We observe it and collapse its wave function. This is how the particle's spin is determined. Two states can exist, spin up or spin down. My question is, once we observe the spin state, is...
  36. G

    Solving Spin of Decay Product: A→B+C+D

    A spin 1/2 particle A undergoes decay A→B+C+D Where it is known that B and C are also spin 1/2. The complete set of allowed values of spin of D It was a Multiple Choice Question and options given were 1) 1/2,1,3/2,2,5/2,3,... 2) 0,1 3) 1/2 only 4) 1/2,3/2,5/2,7/2,... I tried the...
  37. marcus

    Spin Foam Gravity at new stage of maturity/consistency

    Spin Foam Gravity (SFG) has reached a stage of development where perhaps we could have a new abbreviation to distinguish it from previous Loop gravity formulations. I could be wrong about this, of course, but I want to see how things look from that angle. There seem to be some...
  38. M

    Spin Angular Momentum - Bullet hitting bottom of a thin rod?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Angular momentum is the only parameter conserved. This is because there are no external torques acting on the system. Energy is not conserved because the collision is inelastic. Finally, linear momentum is not...
  39. A

    Does spin have a spatial direction

    Spin is an operator with components (Sx,Sy,Sz) but do these represent "spatial" components. The question arose because the spin of an electron sets up an angular momentum L = -e/m * S (S and L are vectors) So inverting the spatial coordinate system and requiring that the physical result must...
  40. xortdsc

    Some questions about spin in relation to the stern-gerlach experiment

    Hi, I have a few questions regarding the experimental outcome of the stern-gerlach experiment. Let's suppose the following setup: We have a magnetic field whose field-lines point towards the positive z axis and the intensity of that field becomes stronger towards the positive z axis, so there...
  41. ChrisVer

    Unveiling the Mystery of Proton Spin

    I am currently confused... I read that we don't know yet where does the proton spin come from. But I wonder... 1) Doesn't the proton have effectively 3 quarks of spin 1/2 (I said effectively to leave out the quark-gluon sea within the proton)? In that case, 3 spin 1/2 particles can't be added...
  42. R

    Why do electrons in SP3 orbitals need opposite spins in molecular bonding?

    The 3s and 3p orbitals are filled by 4 electrons.A single atom has [Ne]3s2 3p2.But when multiple atoms get together they do so in order to minimize the overall energy.And to minimize the overall energy,the 3s and 3p orbitals hybridize to form 4 tetrahedral SP3 orbitals.And the Si atoms get...
  43. I

    Spin as internal angular momentum

    We say that spin is an intrinsic angular momentum which does not have anything to do with space. But is it possible that it is the orbital angular momentum of some internal constituent particles (a yet unknown fine structure)?
  44. H

    Is the Spin Exchange Operator for s=1/2 Particles Hermitian?

    Homework Statement Consider a system of two spin 1/2 particles, labeled 1 and 2. The Pauli spin matrices associated with each particle may then be written as \vec{\hat{\sigma _{1}}} , \vec{\hat{\sigma _{2}}} a)Prove that the operator \hat{A]}\equiv \vec{\hat{\sigma _{1}}}\cdot...
  45. M

    Understanding Spin Magnetic Field and its Direction in Relation to Charge Spin

    When a electron or any charge spins what is the direction of the magnetic field generated by its spin? what is the rule connecting the direction of spin of the charge and direction of magnetic field
  46. M

    Possible webpage title: Understanding Nucleus Spin in Atoms

    does nucleus in an atom spin?
  47. D

    Spin of Black Hole Directly Measured?

    I thought this was cool, wasn't able to find a paper on it, but didn't look "super hard", and won't pay for it. Apparently, a gravitational lensing has lined up so perfectly that we were able to measure the black hole's spin. They have it at "half the speed of light" (??!)...
  48. T

    Two identical particles with spin 1/2

    hello guys , in this problem from zettili quantum mechanics that i attach , i think something is wrong , first the problem said two particles with spin 1/2 but didn't mention that the system is in singlet state or triplet state , so if the system be in triplet state then our spatial wave...
  49. C

    Trace of the spin matrix of spin-1

    Spin-1 matrix Sx, Sy, Sz are traceless 3*3 matrix, and have the property ##[S_i, S_j] = i\epsilon_{ijk}S_k##, and we know that ##Tr(S_i^2) = 1^2+0^2+(-1)^2=2##. All of the above are independent of representation, of course, the trace of a matrix is representation-independent. so, if we want...
  50. U

    Spin 1/2 System: Eigenstates of Sz and Probability of Measurement

    Homework Statement For a spin 1/2 system, the eigenstates of z-component of the angular-momentum operator Sz are given by: S_z |\pm> = \pm \frac{\hbar}{2}|\pm> Suppose at time t, the state of the system is given by: |\psi> = a|+> + b|-> If Sz is measured, what are the possible results of...
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