Magnetism due to electron spin

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of magnetism related to electron spin, exploring the nature of spin as an intrinsic property of electrons, and the implications of changing conditions such as voltage and acceleration on this property. The scope includes theoretical aspects of quantum mechanics and particle physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that magnetism is caused by "spinning electric flux" and questions whether changing the velocity of an electron affects its spin.
  • Another participant clarifies that voltage cannot be applied to a single particle and asserts that spin is an intrinsic property that cannot be changed.
  • A participant later corrects their terminology from voltage to "W.D by the electron" and asks if acceleration affects spin.
  • One participant reiterates that the spin of an electron does not change with acceleration, emphasizing its intrinsic nature.
  • There are inquiries about the "actual rate of spin," with one participant explaining that electron spin is not analogous to classical spinning objects but is instead an intrinsic form of angular momentum.
  • A comparison is drawn between spin and charge, noting that both are intrinsic properties of particles and cannot be altered in the same way as classical quantities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that electron spin is an intrinsic property that does not change with external conditions like voltage or acceleration. However, there is some confusion regarding the terminology and implications of these concepts, indicating a lack of consensus on the initial assumptions about magnetism and spin.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the relationship between voltage, acceleration, and electron spin, indicating a need for clearer definitions and understanding of these concepts within quantum mechanics.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in quantum mechanics, particularly those exploring the properties of elementary particles and the nature of magnetism.

boletoms
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hi
i have a doubt about magnetism
i am assuming that magnetism is caused by spinning electric flux
if we change the velocity(voltage) of the electron does the spin increase?
how can we calculate spin of the electron
which forces are responsible for electron spin
 
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Voltage is a difference of electric potential between two points. You cannot change the voltage of a single particle because it cannot have a voltage to begin with. Nor can you change the spin of a particle. Spin is an intrinsic property of a particle, much like mass and charge are, and it cannot be changed at all. There is no force responsible for this spin. It simply exists as a fundamental property of particles.
 
sorry its not voltage
its W.D by the electron
my doubt is that will the spin increase if the electron is accelerated
 
No the spin of the electron will not change if accelerated. As I explained before it is an intrinsic property that cannot be changed.
 
what is the actual rate of spin?
 
boletoms said:
what is the actual rate of spin?

The electron is not actually spinning around an axis. It is intrinsic angular momentum. You can think of it as being "built in" angular momentum. At the quantum scale things do not appear to work as they do at the classical scale. A basketball spinning on someones finger has angular momentum from the rotation, and it is actually spinning around an axis of rotation. Particle spin is NOT like that. I like to think of it as the most basic form of angular momentum, something that can only be replicated in a poor way at the normal everyday scale of things.

Per wiki:

In quantum mechanics and particle physics, spin is an intrinsic form of angular momentum carried by elementary particles, composite particles (hadrons), and atomic nuclei.[1][2] Spin is a solely quantum-mechanical phenomenon; it does not have a counterpart in classical mechanics (despite the term spin being reminiscent of classical phenomena such as a planet spinning on its axis).[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_(physics)

I find this similar to charge. I can take an electrode and charge it to almost any amount of positive or negative charge. From this one might think that charge can be increased either way to any amount. However when we look at the basic building blocks of matter we see that charge is also a built in property of particles, and that they reason I am charging my electrode is because I am moving charged particles off of or on to the electrode. Of course that's just my way of looking at.
 
thanks drakkit
 

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