Why is there no constant magnetic dipole-dipole interaction?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the absence of a constant magnetic dipole-dipole interaction between two 1s hydrogen atoms. The potential energy equation for magnetic dipole-dipole interaction is provided, highlighting the role of the magnetic dipole moment of electrons in hydrogen atoms. The participants explore the implications of perturbation theory for energy corrections and the significance of the magnetic interaction in different quantum states, particularly contrasting the 1s and 2p states of hydrogen. Ultimately, while the equation is acknowledged as correct, the magnetic interactions in 1s states are deemed negligible compared to other factors like singlet-triplet splitting.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics, particularly atomic states and magnetic moments.
  • Familiarity with perturbation theory in quantum mechanics.
  • Knowledge of magnetic dipole-dipole interactions and their mathematical representation.
  • Basic comprehension of hydrogen atom structure and electron configurations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of perturbation theory on energy corrections in quantum systems.
  • Research the differences between singlet and triplet states in hydrogen atoms.
  • Examine the mathematical derivation of magnetic dipole-dipole interaction equations.
  • Explore the role of quantum states (1s, 2p) in determining magnetic interactions in multi-electron systems.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers interested in atomic interactions and magnetic properties of hydrogen atoms.

Gavroy
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In my opinion, there should be a magnetic-dipole-dipole interaction between 2 1s-hydrogen atoms, but i could not find anything that confirms this.

first of all i discovered this equation here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_dipole–dipole_interaction

the potential energy U = - \frac{ \mu_0 } {4 \pi r_{jk}^3 } \left( 3 (\bold{m}_j \cdot \bold{e}_{jk}) (\bold{m}_k \cdot \bold{e}_{jk}) - \bold{m}_j \cdot \bold{m}_k \right)

but an electron in a hydrogen atom with arbitrary l has always a electro magnetic dipole moment(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_magnetic_dipole_moment#Example:_Hydrogen_atom )and therefore this whole term should therefore be different from zero?

so one could evaluate the first term energy correction by using pertubation theory and would probably get a result different from zero. but actually, i guess that somewhere i am completely wrong, cause i never heard anything of such a correction?
 
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What is l(l+1) for the 1S state?
 
oh, you are so right.:smile:

but what is with the l=1 state? e.g. 2 hydrogen atoms in a 2p-state?
 
In principle, there is a magnetic interaction also for the 1S states due to the spin's magnetic moment. However, it is magnitudes smaller than the singlet-triplet splitting which is due to different symmetry of the orbital part of the molecular wavefunction.
 
ok, thank you,
so does this mean - or do you think- that this equation is correct?
 

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