Are Protons and Nuclei Transitioning Between Spin States in NMR and MRI?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the transition of protons and nuclei between spin states in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Participants explore the concept of chemical shifts and the relationship between spin states of nuclei, specifically addressing how transitions between up and down states of protons lead to observable phenomena such as doublets in NMR spectra. The conversation also clarifies that quarks contribute minimally to the overall spin of the nucleus, with the spin being a more complex function involving sea quarks and electrons. Furthermore, the distinction between the focus on protons in MRI and the broader implications in NMR is highlighted, particularly regarding energy vector cancellation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) principles
  • Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and spin states
  • Familiarity with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) concepts
  • Knowledge of chemical shifts in spectroscopy
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of chemical shifts in NMR spectroscopy
  • Study the implications of spin state transitions in NMR
  • Explore the differences between NMR and MRI applications
  • Learn about the contributions of quarks to nuclear spin
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Electrical engineers, physicists, chemists, and medical imaging professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of NMR and MRI principles, particularly regarding spin states and their implications in spectroscopy and imaging techniques.

bladesong
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Hi everyone. I'm trying to give myself a primer in quantum mechanics/chemistry as I'm doing a literature review on NMR and its applications. I have a few questions. (I'm an electrical engineer, I understand our troubled past, and hopefully our peoples can find a peace)

I'm trying to understand chemical shift and just watched the following video on coupling:

My first question: Do protons/nuclei transition between spin states? i.e., HA transitions between up an down, thus causing HB to do the same, and that's why there's a doublet? Otherwise if it were stable wouldn't that only result in a singlet? Or is it because different molecules (of which there are millions or billions in a sample) may have on or the other, so it's a net effect?

Secondly, the quarks comprising the nucleons contribute little to the actual spin of the nucleus, correct? To my understanding it's primarily a more complicated function of sea quarks as well as electrons?

Finally, the MRI world seems to be very different than the NMR spectroscopy world. In MRI they typically talk more of protons, referring to hydrogen nuclei. I understand this is more accurately referring to the hydrogen in water molecules. Given that molecules will orient differently dependent on spin, why do the released energy vectors from nuclei in opposing spins not cancel each other out?

I understand that some of these questions may be rudimentary so I apologize in advance. Additionally if responses could be kept fairly plebeian it would be greatly appreciated: while I do have a working knowledge of physics, my quantum physics and mechanics knowledge is amateur at best.
 
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I've actually already read that and still aren't clear on the specifics in my questions
 

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