Question

Explain electron spin and the intrinsic properties of electrons.

Answer 1

Electron spin:

1. Electron spin is a property of an electron in atomic physics that is related to its spin about an axis and its angular momentum. There are two electron spin states that are described by the quantum number $m_s$, with values of $+½$ or $-½$.
2. It is one of the three inherent properties of the electrons; the others are the mass and charge of the electron. The electron spin is described as the electron spinning around its axis.
3. It can be expressed as follows:

$S=\sqrt{s\left(s+1\right)}$

Where, $S$ is the spin vector, the spin quantum number $\left(s\right)$ is associated with the spin angular momentum and $h$ is the Planck's constant.

Intrinsic properties of electrons:

The electron has three main intrinsic properties. They are spin, charge, and angular momentum.

1. The concept of electron spin was introduced by S.A. Goutsmit and G.E. Uhlenbeck, in 1925. The electron spin is the fundamental property that shows the angular momentum of the electron around its axis. There are two main electron spin directions. One is spin up denoted by +z and another is spin down direction corresponding to –z direction. Each spin is equal to $½$.
2. The electron is a subatomic particle denoted by symbol $e^{-}$. It has an electric charge of $-1.602\times {10}^{-19}\mathrm{coulombs}$.
3. Angular momentum characterizes the movement of electrons around the nucleus. The intrinsic angular momentum of a given particle is parameterized by spin quantum number. This is independent of orbital momentum. The electron has an intrinsic angular momentum of $½$.