Two questions about electron's magnetic spin











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  1. Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?


  2. Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?



I expect to get 'no' to both questions because we always say moving charges generate magnetic field. And I hope to see answers which will clear my confusion.










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    Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/9969/… but I wrote a short answer, as it seems more appropriate for the OP to learn more from. (Hopefully)
    – StudyStudy
    Dec 2 at 22:25






  • 1




    @physicsguy19: the answer by Hans de Vries present in the link cited by StudyStudyStudy contains the answer to your question. n.2. The wavefunction of a charged particle with a non-zero spin carries a current which explains the magnetic dipole of the electron.
    – GiorgioP
    Dec 2 at 23:03










  • Thank you. Actually I'm so happy to get a 'yes' for both questions 👍 I love this site.
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 6:01















up vote
4
down vote

favorite
1













  1. Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?


  2. Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?



I expect to get 'no' to both questions because we always say moving charges generate magnetic field. And I hope to see answers which will clear my confusion.










share|cite|improve this question




















  • 1




    Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/9969/… but I wrote a short answer, as it seems more appropriate for the OP to learn more from. (Hopefully)
    – StudyStudy
    Dec 2 at 22:25






  • 1




    @physicsguy19: the answer by Hans de Vries present in the link cited by StudyStudyStudy contains the answer to your question. n.2. The wavefunction of a charged particle with a non-zero spin carries a current which explains the magnetic dipole of the electron.
    – GiorgioP
    Dec 2 at 23:03










  • Thank you. Actually I'm so happy to get a 'yes' for both questions 👍 I love this site.
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 6:01













up vote
4
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
4
down vote

favorite
1






1






  1. Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?


  2. Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?



I expect to get 'no' to both questions because we always say moving charges generate magnetic field. And I hope to see answers which will clear my confusion.










share|cite|improve this question
















  1. Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?


  2. Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?



I expect to get 'no' to both questions because we always say moving charges generate magnetic field. And I hope to see answers which will clear my confusion.







electromagnetism electrons magnetic-moment






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share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Dec 2 at 22:26









Emilio Pisanty

81.3k21194401




81.3k21194401










asked Dec 2 at 21:45









physicsguy19

713116




713116








  • 1




    Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/9969/… but I wrote a short answer, as it seems more appropriate for the OP to learn more from. (Hopefully)
    – StudyStudy
    Dec 2 at 22:25






  • 1




    @physicsguy19: the answer by Hans de Vries present in the link cited by StudyStudyStudy contains the answer to your question. n.2. The wavefunction of a charged particle with a non-zero spin carries a current which explains the magnetic dipole of the electron.
    – GiorgioP
    Dec 2 at 23:03










  • Thank you. Actually I'm so happy to get a 'yes' for both questions 👍 I love this site.
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 6:01














  • 1




    Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/9969/… but I wrote a short answer, as it seems more appropriate for the OP to learn more from. (Hopefully)
    – StudyStudy
    Dec 2 at 22:25






  • 1




    @physicsguy19: the answer by Hans de Vries present in the link cited by StudyStudyStudy contains the answer to your question. n.2. The wavefunction of a charged particle with a non-zero spin carries a current which explains the magnetic dipole of the electron.
    – GiorgioP
    Dec 2 at 23:03










  • Thank you. Actually I'm so happy to get a 'yes' for both questions 👍 I love this site.
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 6:01








1




1




Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/9969/… but I wrote a short answer, as it seems more appropriate for the OP to learn more from. (Hopefully)
– StudyStudy
Dec 2 at 22:25




Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/9969/… but I wrote a short answer, as it seems more appropriate for the OP to learn more from. (Hopefully)
– StudyStudy
Dec 2 at 22:25




1




1




@physicsguy19: the answer by Hans de Vries present in the link cited by StudyStudyStudy contains the answer to your question. n.2. The wavefunction of a charged particle with a non-zero spin carries a current which explains the magnetic dipole of the electron.
– GiorgioP
Dec 2 at 23:03




@physicsguy19: the answer by Hans de Vries present in the link cited by StudyStudyStudy contains the answer to your question. n.2. The wavefunction of a charged particle with a non-zero spin carries a current which explains the magnetic dipole of the electron.
– GiorgioP
Dec 2 at 23:03












Thank you. Actually I'm so happy to get a 'yes' for both questions 👍 I love this site.
– physicsguy19
Dec 3 at 6:01




Thank you. Actually I'm so happy to get a 'yes' for both questions 👍 I love this site.
– physicsguy19
Dec 3 at 6:01










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
6
down vote



accepted










The electron can be seen as a small magnet with the field of a magnetic dipole of strength $2mu_B vec S$. So my answer is yes in both cases. I interpret as at rest a state in which the electron has zero momentum expectation value. Note that there is no accepted model of spin as a rotation, although spin is an angular moment to every effect.






share|cite|improve this answer























  • does it mean that when an electron is released (with zero speed classically) in a uniform magnetic field, it just aligns its magnetic moment with the field and does no translational motion (classically)?
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 8:05










  • Yes, that is correct.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 8:22










  • @my2cts: which one is correct?:) sorry..
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 8:47






  • 1




    @StudyStudy No motion or translation will occur in a uniform field.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 9:23






  • 1




    It will move as the field is nonuniform. In your original question you assumed a uniform field.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 12:59


















up vote
7
down vote














Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?




Yes. There are no known magnetic monopoles, see: Magnetic Monopoles




Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?




Yes, but as regards "at rest", you should read this answer: Electron at rest



Magnetic spin isn't really a proper term, but an electron's spin is directly linked to its magnetic field, if we were to say that only moving electric charges produce magnetic fields, we would have trouble explaining how a static magnetic "works".



I would also stress that spin in this case is purely a mathematical idea, an electron does not resemble a very small rotating football in this case, its a bad choice of words made years ago.



If you read the links, you will get a better answer than this short reply.






share|cite|improve this answer










New contributor




StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.


















    Your Answer





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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    6
    down vote



    accepted










    The electron can be seen as a small magnet with the field of a magnetic dipole of strength $2mu_B vec S$. So my answer is yes in both cases. I interpret as at rest a state in which the electron has zero momentum expectation value. Note that there is no accepted model of spin as a rotation, although spin is an angular moment to every effect.






    share|cite|improve this answer























    • does it mean that when an electron is released (with zero speed classically) in a uniform magnetic field, it just aligns its magnetic moment with the field and does no translational motion (classically)?
      – physicsguy19
      Dec 3 at 8:05










    • Yes, that is correct.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 8:22










    • @my2cts: which one is correct?:) sorry..
      – physicsguy19
      Dec 3 at 8:47






    • 1




      @StudyStudy No motion or translation will occur in a uniform field.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 9:23






    • 1




      It will move as the field is nonuniform. In your original question you assumed a uniform field.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 12:59















    up vote
    6
    down vote



    accepted










    The electron can be seen as a small magnet with the field of a magnetic dipole of strength $2mu_B vec S$. So my answer is yes in both cases. I interpret as at rest a state in which the electron has zero momentum expectation value. Note that there is no accepted model of spin as a rotation, although spin is an angular moment to every effect.






    share|cite|improve this answer























    • does it mean that when an electron is released (with zero speed classically) in a uniform magnetic field, it just aligns its magnetic moment with the field and does no translational motion (classically)?
      – physicsguy19
      Dec 3 at 8:05










    • Yes, that is correct.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 8:22










    • @my2cts: which one is correct?:) sorry..
      – physicsguy19
      Dec 3 at 8:47






    • 1




      @StudyStudy No motion or translation will occur in a uniform field.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 9:23






    • 1




      It will move as the field is nonuniform. In your original question you assumed a uniform field.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 12:59













    up vote
    6
    down vote



    accepted







    up vote
    6
    down vote



    accepted






    The electron can be seen as a small magnet with the field of a magnetic dipole of strength $2mu_B vec S$. So my answer is yes in both cases. I interpret as at rest a state in which the electron has zero momentum expectation value. Note that there is no accepted model of spin as a rotation, although spin is an angular moment to every effect.






    share|cite|improve this answer














    The electron can be seen as a small magnet with the field of a magnetic dipole of strength $2mu_B vec S$. So my answer is yes in both cases. I interpret as at rest a state in which the electron has zero momentum expectation value. Note that there is no accepted model of spin as a rotation, although spin is an angular moment to every effect.







    share|cite|improve this answer














    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer








    edited Dec 2 at 22:39









    Emilio Pisanty

    81.3k21194401




    81.3k21194401










    answered Dec 2 at 22:33









    my2cts

    3,9592416




    3,9592416












    • does it mean that when an electron is released (with zero speed classically) in a uniform magnetic field, it just aligns its magnetic moment with the field and does no translational motion (classically)?
      – physicsguy19
      Dec 3 at 8:05










    • Yes, that is correct.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 8:22










    • @my2cts: which one is correct?:) sorry..
      – physicsguy19
      Dec 3 at 8:47






    • 1




      @StudyStudy No motion or translation will occur in a uniform field.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 9:23






    • 1




      It will move as the field is nonuniform. In your original question you assumed a uniform field.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 12:59


















    • does it mean that when an electron is released (with zero speed classically) in a uniform magnetic field, it just aligns its magnetic moment with the field and does no translational motion (classically)?
      – physicsguy19
      Dec 3 at 8:05










    • Yes, that is correct.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 8:22










    • @my2cts: which one is correct?:) sorry..
      – physicsguy19
      Dec 3 at 8:47






    • 1




      @StudyStudy No motion or translation will occur in a uniform field.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 9:23






    • 1




      It will move as the field is nonuniform. In your original question you assumed a uniform field.
      – my2cts
      Dec 3 at 12:59
















    does it mean that when an electron is released (with zero speed classically) in a uniform magnetic field, it just aligns its magnetic moment with the field and does no translational motion (classically)?
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 8:05




    does it mean that when an electron is released (with zero speed classically) in a uniform magnetic field, it just aligns its magnetic moment with the field and does no translational motion (classically)?
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 8:05












    Yes, that is correct.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 8:22




    Yes, that is correct.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 8:22












    @my2cts: which one is correct?:) sorry..
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 8:47




    @my2cts: which one is correct?:) sorry..
    – physicsguy19
    Dec 3 at 8:47




    1




    1




    @StudyStudy No motion or translation will occur in a uniform field.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 9:23




    @StudyStudy No motion or translation will occur in a uniform field.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 9:23




    1




    1




    It will move as the field is nonuniform. In your original question you assumed a uniform field.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 12:59




    It will move as the field is nonuniform. In your original question you assumed a uniform field.
    – my2cts
    Dec 3 at 12:59










    up vote
    7
    down vote














    Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?




    Yes. There are no known magnetic monopoles, see: Magnetic Monopoles




    Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?




    Yes, but as regards "at rest", you should read this answer: Electron at rest



    Magnetic spin isn't really a proper term, but an electron's spin is directly linked to its magnetic field, if we were to say that only moving electric charges produce magnetic fields, we would have trouble explaining how a static magnetic "works".



    I would also stress that spin in this case is purely a mathematical idea, an electron does not resemble a very small rotating football in this case, its a bad choice of words made years ago.



    If you read the links, you will get a better answer than this short reply.






    share|cite|improve this answer










    New contributor




    StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.






















      up vote
      7
      down vote














      Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?




      Yes. There are no known magnetic monopoles, see: Magnetic Monopoles




      Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?




      Yes, but as regards "at rest", you should read this answer: Electron at rest



      Magnetic spin isn't really a proper term, but an electron's spin is directly linked to its magnetic field, if we were to say that only moving electric charges produce magnetic fields, we would have trouble explaining how a static magnetic "works".



      I would also stress that spin in this case is purely a mathematical idea, an electron does not resemble a very small rotating football in this case, its a bad choice of words made years ago.



      If you read the links, you will get a better answer than this short reply.






      share|cite|improve this answer










      New contributor




      StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.




















        up vote
        7
        down vote










        up vote
        7
        down vote










        Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?




        Yes. There are no known magnetic monopoles, see: Magnetic Monopoles




        Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?




        Yes, but as regards "at rest", you should read this answer: Electron at rest



        Magnetic spin isn't really a proper term, but an electron's spin is directly linked to its magnetic field, if we were to say that only moving electric charges produce magnetic fields, we would have trouble explaining how a static magnetic "works".



        I would also stress that spin in this case is purely a mathematical idea, an electron does not resemble a very small rotating football in this case, its a bad choice of words made years ago.



        If you read the links, you will get a better answer than this short reply.






        share|cite|improve this answer










        New contributor




        StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.










        Does electron's magnetic spin mean that we can think of it as having the two magnetic poles?




        Yes. There are no known magnetic monopoles, see: Magnetic Monopoles




        Does the spin mean that it generates magnetic field even if it is at rest?




        Yes, but as regards "at rest", you should read this answer: Electron at rest



        Magnetic spin isn't really a proper term, but an electron's spin is directly linked to its magnetic field, if we were to say that only moving electric charges produce magnetic fields, we would have trouble explaining how a static magnetic "works".



        I would also stress that spin in this case is purely a mathematical idea, an electron does not resemble a very small rotating football in this case, its a bad choice of words made years ago.



        If you read the links, you will get a better answer than this short reply.







        share|cite|improve this answer










        New contributor




        StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer








        edited Dec 2 at 22:14





















        New contributor




        StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        answered Dec 2 at 22:05









        StudyStudy

        3139




        3139




        New contributor




        StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        New contributor





        StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        StudyStudy is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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