Why is the upper magnet in the Stern-Gerlach experiment wedge-shaped?

In summary, the Stern-Gerlach experiment is a landmark experiment in quantum mechanics that demonstrated the quantization of angular momentum and the concept of spin. It involved sending a beam of particles through an inhomogeneous magnetic field and observing their deflection. The experiment provided evidence for electron spin and has been replicated and expanded upon in subsequent experiments. The classical interpretation did not account for spin, but the quantum interpretation showed that particles deflect in different directions. Other experiments based on the Stern-Gerlach experiment have further confirmed and expanded our understanding of quantum mechanics.
  • #1
ehrenfest
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Homework Statement


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stern-Gerlach
In the Stern-Gerlach experiment, is there a reason why the upper magnet is wedge-shaped and not flat?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
OK. Maybe that is a silly question. Now that I think about it, the wedge-shape of the upper magnet is the entire point of the experiment because it creates the inhomogenous magnetic field.
 
  • #3
Exactly!
 
  • #4
But why, exactly, was it posted under "Calculus" rather than physics?
 
  • #5
Good point! I didn't even notice that. (I'll move it.)
 

What is the Stern-Gerlach experiment?

The Stern-Gerlach experiment is a landmark experiment in quantum mechanics that was performed in 1922 by Otto Stern and Walther Gerlach. It involves sending a beam of particles, usually atoms or subatomic particles, through an inhomogeneous magnetic field and observing the deflection of the particles. This experiment helped to demonstrate the quantization of angular momentum and the concept of spin in quantum mechanics.

What was the significance of the Stern-Gerlach experiment?

The Stern-Gerlach experiment provided evidence for the quantization of angular momentum and the concept of spin in quantum mechanics. It also helped to confirm the existence of electron spin, which was previously only theorized. This experiment was a major contribution to our understanding of quantum mechanics and has been replicated and built upon in many subsequent experiments.

How does the Stern-Gerlach experiment work?

The Stern-Gerlach experiment involves passing a beam of particles, such as atoms or subatomic particles, through an inhomogeneous magnetic field. The field causes the particles to experience a force which is dependent on their spin orientation. This force causes the particles to deflect in different directions based on their spin, allowing for the observation of the quantization of angular momentum and the concept of spin in quantum mechanics.

What is the difference between the classical and quantum interpretations of the Stern-Gerlach experiment?

In the classical interpretation, the particles in the Stern-Gerlach experiment would be expected to pass through the inhomogeneous magnetic field without any deflection, as classical mechanics does not account for the concept of spin. However, in the quantum interpretation, the particles are observed to deflect in different directions, demonstrating the quantization of angular momentum and the concept of spin in quantum mechanics.

What other experiments have been based on the Stern-Gerlach experiment?

The Stern-Gerlach experiment has been replicated and built upon in various experiments, including the Stern-Gerlach experiment with spin-polarized neutrons, the Stern-Gerlach experiment with charged particles, and the Stern-Gerlach experiment with spin-1/2 particles. These experiments have further confirmed and expanded our understanding of the quantization of angular momentum and the concept of spin in quantum mechanics.

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