1

Can the spin of electrons generate currents? If not, how does it create magnetic dipole moments?

Solidification
  • 11,483

1 Answers1

7

Currently our best model of the electron is that it is a point particle. Measurements give an upper bound of $10^{-22}$ meters on its radius. A point particle has no radius, and thus cannot rotate. Therefore we do not consider an electron with spin as a "spinning" electron in any classical sense. The spin and the magnetic moment of the electrons are instead considered "intrinsic" properties of the electron, similar to the charge and mass.

This is not a particularly satisfying explanation, and physicists are hard at work to achieve deeper understanding of the electron.

Codename 47
  • 2,411
  • 8
  • 22
  • I know that spin is not related to any mechanical motion of the electrons. But if it is not, how does it give to a magnetic moment? Thanks – Solidification Feb 28 '19 at 17:09
  • does that mean that magnetic dipole due to electron spin is also a intrinsic property?? – PranshuKhandal Feb 28 '19 at 17:25
  • well, if yes, that's amazing!! – PranshuKhandal Feb 28 '19 at 17:25
  • Indeed, it seems the electron holds a plethora of paradoxes. It cannot have a non-zero radius, but at the same time it cannot be a point. It has angular momentum, but does not rotate. It has magnetic moment, but there is no current flowing (yes, the magnetic moment is intrinsic!). But that is what we have observed so far. – Codename 47 Mar 01 '19 at 12:03
  • Could you pay attention to this question of mine?: https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/235080/is-the-magnetic-dipole-moment-in-charged-particles-the-more-survivable-property?rq=1 – HolgerFiedler Mar 09 '19 at 18:53