Relation between nuclear shape and it spin number

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between nuclear shape (or charge distribution) and nuclear spin, particularly in the context of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies and quadrupole interactions. Participants explore how different spin values correspond to various nuclear shapes and the underlying physical principles that govern this relationship.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that spins larger than 1/2 have non-spherical charge distributions, which interact with external electric fields.
  • Another participant mentions the Wigner-Eckhart Theorem as a relevant concept linking spin and nuclear shape.
  • A question is raised about the specific physical relationship between nuclear shape and spin number, indicating a desire for deeper understanding rather than just visual representations.
  • One participant provides an example involving the quadrupole moment of a spin-1/2 system, illustrating that a spin-1/2 system cannot have a quadrupole moment due to the properties of the Wigner-Eckhart Theorem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the relationship between nuclear shape and spin. Some agree on the relevance of the Wigner-Eckhart Theorem, while others seek clarification on the physical implications of this relationship. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple viewpoints presented.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions underlying the relationship between nuclear shape and spin, as well as the dependence on specific definitions of terms like quadrupole moment and charge distribution.

Renato Murback
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TL;DR
What is the relation between the nuclear shape (or charge distribution) and the nuclear spin?
I'm beginner in NMR studies and now I'm studying quadrupole interaction. In this case, spins larger than 1/2 have a non-spherical charge distribution and this asymmetry interacts with external electric fields.
But the question is: What is the relation between the nuclear shape (or charge distribution) and the nuclear spin? I know spin 1/2 has a spherical shape, and larger spins have differents shapes.... But why? How nuclear spins implies the nuclear shape?
Thank you very much for your attention
 
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Welcome to PF, Renato. :smile:

Paging @Dale
 
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spin 1/2 = magnetic dipole.
spin 1 = electric quadrupole
spin 3/2 = magnetic octupole
etc.

See the Wigner-Eckhart Theorem.
 
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how is these spin numbers related with the nuclear shape? what is the relation between them?

1715208353768.png
 
If you go to Google, select Images, and type in Nuclear Quadrupole (e.g.) you will get plenty of pictures showing you the shape.
 
I don't want to know the shape. I want to know the physical relation between the shape and the spin number. How does spin implies the shape? Or how does nuclear shape implies the spin number?
 
I told you the "physical reason". It's the Wigner-Eckhart Theorem.
 
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I'll learn about that. Thank you
 
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While not a proof, here is an example that shows how Wigner-Eckhart works. Suppose I want the quadrupole moment of a spin-½ system. That's <½| ℚ | ½> where ℚ is the quadrupole operator. ℚ | ½> = a | 3/2 > + b | 5/2 > where a and b are numbers. Messy to calculate, but just numbers. But since <1/2 | 3/2 > and <1/2 | 5/2 >are both zero, we don't need to: <½| ℚ | ½> = 0. A spin-½ system cannot have a quadrupole moment.
 
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