Assume that in the Stern-Gerlach experiment for neutral silver atoms, the magnetic field has a magnitude of B = 0.21 T. (a) What is the energy difference between the magnetic moment orientations of the silver atoms in the two subbeams? (b) What is the frequency of the radiation that would induce a transition between these two states? (c) What is the wavelength of this radiation, and (d) to what part of the electromagnetic spectrum does it belong?

Explanation

Assume that in the Stern-Gerlach experiment for neutral silver atoms, the magnetic field has a magnitude of B = 0.21 T

A. To calculate the energy difference in the magnetic moment orientation

∆E = 2μB

For example, any electron's magnetic moment is measured to be 9.284764*10^-24 J/T

Then

μ = 9.284764 * 10^-24 J/T

∆E = 2μB

∆E = 2 * 9.284764 * 10^-24 * 0.21

∆E = 3.8996 * 10^-24 J

Then, to eV

1eV = 1.602 * 10^-19J

∆E = 3.8996 * 10^-24 J * 1eV / 1.602 * 10^-19J

∆E = 2.43 * 10^-5 eV

B. Frequency?

To determine the frequency of radiation hitch would induce the transition between the two states is,

∆E = hf

Where h is plank constant

h = 6.626 * 10-34 Js

Then, f = ∆E / h

f = 3.8996 * 10^-24 / 6.626 * 10^-34

f = 5.885 * 10^9 Hz

f ≈ 5.89 GHz

C. The wavelength of the radiation

From wave equation

v = fλ

In electromagnetic, we deal with speed of light, v = c

And the speed of light in vacuum is

c = 3 * 10^8 m/s

c = fλ

λ = c / f

λ = 3 * 10^8 / 5.885 * 10^9

λ = 0.051 m

λ = 5.1 cm

λ = 51 mm

D. It belongs to the microwave

From table

Micro waves ranges from

•Wavelength 10 to 0.01cm

Then we got λ = 5.1 cm, which is in the range.

•Frequency 3GHz to 3 Thz

Then, we got f ≈ 5.89 GHz, which is in the range

•Energy 10^-5 to 0.01 eV

We got ∆E = 2.43 * 10^-5 eV, which is in the range of the microwave

The value above is in microwave range