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In the experiment shown schematically below, a beam of
Chapter , Problem 6.104(choose chapter or problem)
In the experiment shown schematically below, a beam of neutral atoms is passed through a magnetic field. Atoms that have unpaired electrons are deflected in different directions in the magnetic field depending on the value of the electron spin quantum number. In the experiment illustrated, we envision that a beam of hydrogen atoms splits into two beams.
(a) What is the significance of the observation that the single beam splits into two beams?
(b) What do you think would happen if the strength of the magnet were increased?
(c) What do you think would happen if the beam of hydrogen atoms were replaced with a beam of helium atoms? Why?
(d) The relevant experiment was first performed by Otto Stern and Walter Gerlach in 1921. They used a beam of Ag atoms in the experiment. By considering the electron configuration of a silver atom, explain why the single beam splits into two beams.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
In the experiment shown schematically below, a beam of neutral atoms is passed through a magnetic field. Atoms that have unpaired electrons are deflected in different directions in the magnetic field depending on the value of the electron spin quantum number. In the experiment illustrated, we envision that a beam of hydrogen atoms splits into two beams.
(a) What is the significance of the observation that the single beam splits into two beams?
(b) What do you think would happen if the strength of the magnet were increased?
(c) What do you think would happen if the beam of hydrogen atoms were replaced with a beam of helium atoms? Why?
(d) The relevant experiment was first performed by Otto Stern and Walter Gerlach in 1921. They used a beam of Ag atoms in the experiment. By considering the electron configuration of a silver atom, explain why the single beam splits into two beams.
Step 1 of 4
(a) Here we have to explain what is the significance of the observation that the single beam splits into two beams.
In presence of magnetic field the splitting of beam indicates that hydrogen atom has two possible magnetic spin quantum numbers i.e \(+1 / 2\) and \(-1 / 2\) .
Thus, when the beam of hydrogen atoms crosses through the magnetic field, it gets splits into two beams.