# Magnetic & electric fields in QM?

1. Aug 24, 2007

### pivoxa15

All atoms have magnetic moments but does Quantum theory require magnetic fields at all?

Does Quantum theory require electric fields?

2. Aug 24, 2007

### dextercioby

In QM the potentials are the fundamental objects, as compared to the classical electrodynamics where the fields are measurable and viewed as fundamental, while the potential are only mathematically convenient objects.

3. Aug 24, 2007

### pivoxa15

I know the magnetic moment is important in QM such as the Bohr magneton. But you could say that it is used to calculate the magnetic potential energy.

4. Aug 24, 2007

### dextercioby

The magnetic moment is one thing, the magnetic potential $\mathbf{A}$ is another. And the Bohr magneton is just a number (it had been previously introduced in 1912 by the Romanian physicist Stefan Procopiu). And the magnetic potential energy is usually the potential interaction energy b/w an external magnetic field and a dipole. So you need to to brush up your knowledge of these concepts.

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