The "complete state" of an electron

In summary, the Griffiths text discusses the wave function of an electron and how it is composed of the spatial and spin parts. The distinction between these two components is important when considering the exchange force and the impossibility of two fermions being in the same state. This representation is considered to be complete, as no other factors have been observed to distinguish electrons from each other in experiments.
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ExplosivePete
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I am in a quantum mechanics course based on the Griffiths text. When the books talks about the wave function on an electron in a specific state, it refers to the "complete state" of the electron as being the product of the spatial part and the spin part of the wave function. The need to distinguish the two components becomes clear when talking about the exchange force in that two fermions can't be in the same state. Is this necessarily a "complete" representation of the electron, or is it possible that there are other factors that could distinguish electrons from each other?
 
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ExplosivePete said:
Is this necessarily a "complete" representation of the electron
yes
 
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ExplosivePete said:
Is this necessarily a "complete" representation of the electron, or is it possible that there are other factors that could distinguish electrons from each other?

If there were other factors that could distinguish the electrons from each other, this would show up experimentally because it would be possible (for example) to have more than two electrons in each orbital of an atom. This would have significant consequences in optics and chemistry, but no such consequences are seen.
 
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1. What is the "complete state" of an electron?

The "complete state" of an electron refers to all of the measurable properties of an electron, including its energy level, spin, and position in space.

2. How is the complete state of an electron determined?

The complete state of an electron can be determined through various experimental methods, such as spectroscopy or electron diffraction. These experiments measure different properties of the electron and combine them to determine its complete state.

3. Is the complete state of an electron constant?

No, the complete state of an electron can change over time. This is due to the probabilistic nature of electrons, meaning that their properties can only be described in terms of probabilities rather than definite values.

4. Can the complete state of an electron be manipulated?

Yes, the complete state of an electron can be manipulated through external forces, such as electric and magnetic fields. This is the basis for many technological applications, such as transistors and magnetic storage devices.

5. Why is understanding the complete state of an electron important?

Understanding the complete state of an electron is crucial in fields such as quantum mechanics and nanotechnology. It allows us to predict and control the behavior of electrons, which play a fundamental role in many natural and technological processes.

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