concept builder

Question 1

what is responsible for the magnetic dipole moment of the electron?

Answer 1

the spin of the electron around the nucleus

Question 2

why does the zeeman effect take place?

Answer 2

each electron has its own magnetic dipole moment oriented in a specific direction. When placed in an external magnetic field the toque that acts on the magnetic dipole moment will do work on the magnetic dipole moment to orient it along the same direction as the magnetic field lines. Any two electron orbitals/clouds which have their own magnetic dipole moment will require different amount of work to align them to the magnetic field lines, thereby creating a difference in their energy levels (more rotation, more energy, more work). Hence, the splitting.

Question 3

formula for calculating split spectral lines

Answer 3

2l + 1

s: 1
p: 3
d: 5
f: 7