Is the Stern-Gerlach experiment sufficient?

The electron spin contributes to the total angular momentum of an atom and can be measured through the anomalous Zeeman effect. Overall, the Stern-Gerlach experiment is sufficient in demonstrating the spin of electrons, but other experiments are needed to measure its exact value. In summary, the electron's spin of hbar/2 is experimentally shown through the Stern-Gerlach experiment and its contribution to the fine structure of atomic spectral lines. Other experiments may be necessary to determine its exact value.
  • #1
intervoxel
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How experimentally it is shown that the electron's spin is hbar/2. Is the Stern-Gerlach experiment sufficient?
 
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  • #2
yup, from the fact that in Stern-Gerlach experiment, the electron beam breaks into two (or in real makes that "mouth" shape)
 
  • #3
Well, I guess the OP means measuring the exact value of electron's spin. That's possible too.By measuring the exact amount of beams' deviations.
 
  • #4
The magnitude of electron spin figures into spectral line splittings of an atom in a magnetic field in the "anomalous" Zeeman effect.
 
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  • #5
intervoxel said:
How experimentally it is shown that the electron's spin is hbar/2. Is the Stern-Gerlach experiment sufficient?
The Stern-Gerlach experiment is only done using neutral particles, e.g. atoms, since a charged particle would experience a very large deflection in a magnetic field. The original experiment used silver atoms, later hydrogen atoms. It showed for the first time that in QM, angular momentum takes on discrete values.

As per jtbell, the spin of the electron is deduced from the fine structure of atomic spectral lines.
 
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FAQ: Is the Stern-Gerlach experiment sufficient?

1. What is the Stern-Gerlach experiment?

The Stern-Gerlach experiment is a classic physics experiment that was first conducted in 1922 by Otto Stern and Walther Gerlach. It involves passing a beam of particles, such as atoms or subatomic particles, through an inhomogeneous magnetic field and observing the deflection of the particles as they exit the field.

2. How does the Stern-Gerlach experiment work?

In the Stern-Gerlach experiment, a beam of particles is passed through a strong magnetic field that is not uniform. This means that the magnetic field is stronger in some areas and weaker in others. As the particles pass through the field, they experience a force that causes them to deflect either up or down, depending on their magnetic moment. This deflection is then observed and recorded.

3. What is the significance of the Stern-Gerlach experiment?

The Stern-Gerlach experiment was a groundbreaking experiment that provided evidence for the existence of quantized angular momentum, or spin, in particles. This discovery had a significant impact on the development of quantum mechanics and our understanding of the behavior of particles on a microscopic level.

4. Is the Stern-Gerlach experiment sufficient to explain the behavior of particles?

No, the Stern-Gerlach experiment alone is not sufficient to fully explain the behavior of particles. While it provided evidence for the existence of spin, it is just one of many experiments and theories that contribute to our understanding of particles. Other experiments and theories, such as the double-slit experiment and the Schrödinger equation, also play important roles in our understanding of particle behavior.

5. How has the Stern-Gerlach experiment been used in other areas of science?

The principles of the Stern-Gerlach experiment have been applied in various fields of science, including materials science and medical imaging. It has also been used to study the behavior of particles in different environments, such as in the Earth's magnetic field or in interstellar space. Additionally, the experiment has been adapted and modified for use in other types of research, such as studying the properties of molecules and testing the effects of gravity on particles.

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