Understanding NMR Spectroscopy: What is P, I & m_I?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gravenewworld
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Nmr Spectroscopy
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies the concepts of nuclear spin number (I), angular momentum eigenvalue (P), and magnetic quantum number (m_I) in NMR spectroscopy. The spin number (I) represents the total angular momentum of the nuclei, while P is the actual eigenvalue measured during an experiment. The quantum number m_I quantifies the z-component of angular momentum, analogous to the electron spin quantum number m_s. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping the fundamentals of NMR spectroscopy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of quantum mechanics and angular momentum
  • Familiarity with NMR spectroscopy principles
  • Knowledge of magnetic fields and their effects on particles
  • Concept of quantum numbers in atomic physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical formulation of angular momentum in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the role of the magnetogyric ratio (γ) in NMR spectroscopy
  • Learn about the quantization of angular momentum and its implications in NMR
  • Investigate the relationship between nuclear spin and electron spin in quantum systems
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in physical chemistry, physicists specializing in quantum mechanics, and professionals working with NMR spectroscopy who seek to deepen their understanding of nuclear spin and angular momentum concepts.

gravenewworld
Messages
1,128
Reaction score
27
I'm trying to teach myself the theory behind NMR spectroscopy, but I am having some trouble with some pchem/physics concepts that I have never seen before.

The chapter I am currently on talks about the quantization of nuclear angular momentum. What I don't understand is, what is the difference between spin number (I) and nuclear spin angular momentum which my book gives as

P=h/2pi (I(I+1))^1/2

I have looked up what nuclear spin number (I) means on some physics websites and they state that I is the total angular momentum of the nuclei so I don't really understand what P really is if I is the total angular momentum of the nuclei.

Another term they talk about in the chapter is quantum number m_I (is this almost the same thing as the quantum number m_s for the electron?).

Given a magnetic field of strength B (in the z direction)a magnetic moment u would have an energy U given by

U=-u.B=-u_zB where u_z is the z component of u. They then go on to show that the energy is given by

U=-y(h/2pi)m_IB (y is the magnetogyric ratio) and state that there are 2I+1 values for m_I.Could someone please explain P, I, and m_I ?? sorry for the equations, I don't know how to use latex.
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
I is simply a "quantum number" (just like the n, l, m that you are familiar with for an electron in a central potential; in this case, I is similar to the l quantum number, though it's closer to the electron spin quantum number s) - it is not the actual angular momentum. P is the actual angular momentum eigenvalue - it is what a single measurement of the total angular momentum will give (just as a measurement of the electron's orbital angular momentum, L, will tell you whether it is in an l=0,1,2,... state -ie: is an s, p, d... electron).

Just as I is a number that describes the quantization of the total angular momentum P, the number m_I describes the quantization of another observable, P_z (one component of the angular momentum vector). Yes, it is analogous to the m_s, which describes the quantization of S_z (any measurement of S_z will produce a result that is multiple of /hbar; this multiplication factor is designated m_s).
 
Last edited:
I came.across a headline and read some of the article, so I was curious. Scientists discover that gold is a 'reactive metal' by accidentally creating a new material in the lab https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-that-gold-is-reactive-metal-by-creating-gold-hydride-in-lab-experiment/ From SLAC - A SLAC team unexpectedly formed gold hydride in an experiment that could pave the way for studying materials under extreme conditions like those found inside certain planets and stars undergoing...

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
526
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
7K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K