Understanding Spin 1/2 and Other Spin Values Explained

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tonywryip
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spin Spin 1/2
Click For Summary
Spin 1/2 refers to a quantum property where a particle requires two full rotations (720°) to return to its original state, unlike integer spins (0, 1, 2) that return after one full rotation (360°). The discussion uses the analogy of a Mobius strip to illustrate how different spins relate to twists; integer spins correspond to whole twists, while half-integer spins correspond to half-twists. Understanding these concepts fundamentally relies on principles from Quantum Mechanics. The conversation suggests that a lack of background in Quantum Mechanics may hinder comprehension of these spin values. Overall, grasping the nature of spin requires a deeper dive into quantum physics.
Tonywryip
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
What's a pin 1/2? How can one spin 2 whole revolution to get to the same side? I don't get it.
How about spin 0,1,or 2. What do those mean?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you just need a very simple visualization, picture a Mobius strip. You need to go two revolutions around it to end up where you started from. It works like that on many levels.

Notice that you can glue the strip with half-twist, full twist, twist-and-a-half, etc. Just like with spins, a strip with integer twist will get you back to the same exact spot after a 360° rotation. Half-integer will require a 720° turn.

But if you want to understand where all of this comes from and how it works, you need Quantum Mechanics, and I'm guessing, you don't have much of a background in that.
 
I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K