How does Stern-Gerlach experiment explain electron spin?

The Stern–Gerlach experiment demonstrated that the spatial orientation of angular momentum is quantized. Thus an atomic-scale system was shown to have intrinsically quantum properties. The screen reveals discrete points of accumulation, rather than a continuous distribution, owing to their quantized spin.

What is the significance of Stern-Gerlach experiment?

The Stern-Gerlach experiment was initially regarded as a crucial test between the classical theory of the atom and the Bohr-Sommerfeld theory. In a sense it was, because it showed clearly that spatial quantization existed, a phenomenon that could be accommodated only within a quantum mechanical theory.

Why does Stern Gerlach have silver?

The silver atoms allowed Stern and Gerlach to study the magnetic properties of a single electron because these atoms have a single outer electron which moves in the Coulomb potential caused by the 47 protons of the nucleus shielded by the 46 inner electrons.

What is the significance of the observation that the single beam splits into two beams?

The fact that the beam splits into 2 beams suggests that the electrons in the atoms have a degree of freedom capable of coupling to the magnetic field. That is, an electron has an intrinsic magnetic moment M arising from a degree of freedom that has no classical analog.

Why does Stern-Gerlach have silver?

Why were silver atoms used in Stern Gerlach experiment?

What is the significance of the observation that the single beam splits into two beams What do you think would happen if the strength of the magnet were increased?

In the experiment illustrated, we envision that a beam of hydrogen atoms splits into two beams The significance of this observation is experimental evidence for isotopes. The significance of this observation is experimental evidence for electron spin.