Electron Spin Definition in Chemistry

Chemistry Glossary Definition of Electron Spin

Stylized red and blue atom

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By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on August 08, 2019

In atomic physics and chemistry, electron spin is a property of an electron that is loosely related to its spin about an axis and its angular momentum. Two electron spin states are allowed, which are described by the quantum number ms, with values of +½ or -½ .

The spin quantum number describes the shape and energy of electron orbitals.
Read More
Demystifying Electron Spin Quantum Numbers
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

The spin of an electron isn't as easily visualized as the spin of an ordinary object, such as a marble. Spin has a definite magnitude and it does have a direction, but quantization makes this more complicated than direction using regular vectors.

The SI unit of spin is the Newton meter second (N·m·s). This is the same unit as angular momentum in classical mechanics. However, spin is often calculated as the spin angular momentum divided by the reduced Planck constant ħ, yielding a dimensionless value.

Uses

There are practical applications of electron spin. These include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electron spin resonance spectroscopy, and giant magnetoresistive (GMR) drive head technology.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Electron Spin Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Jun. 25, 2024, thoughtco.com/definition-of-electron-spin-in-chemistry-604450. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2024, June 25). Electron Spin Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-electron-spin-in-chemistry-604450 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Electron Spin Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-electron-spin-in-chemistry-604450 (accessed July 20, 2024).