114 MODERN PHYSICS

eh
hn = hν o + ∆ ml B
4πm
eB
or ν = ν o + ∆ ml ...(7)
4πm
where ν = frequency of the radiation emitted with the magnetic field and νo = frequency of the
radiation in the absence of the magnetic field. The selection rule for ml is ∆ ml = 0 or ± 1.
Hence we have three possible lines,
ν1 = νo for ∆ml = 0 ...(8)
eB
ν2 = ν 0 + for ∆ ml = + 1 ...(9)
4πm
eB
and ν3 = ν o – for ∆ ml = –1 ...(10)
4πm
Fig. 6.37 represents the normal Zeeman effect. Although there are nine possible transitions,
they are grouped into only three different frequency components as indicated by equations (8), (9)
and (10). For three transitions in a bracket, change in the value of ∆ml is the same and hence they
represent same change of energy and a single line.

6.26 Anomalous Zeeman Effect

This can be explained only by using the idea of the spin of the electron. With the introduction
of spin, we have two angular momentum vectors 1 and s associated with each electron. The total
angular momentum vector j = 1 + s ...(1)
The magnetic moment due to orbital motion
eh
= µl = l ...(2)
4πm
µl is directed oppositely to l because of the negative charge of the electron.
Similarly, the magnetic moment due to the spin of the electron
eh
ms = 2s ...(3)
4πm
µs is oppositely directed to s because of the negative charge of
the electron. The relationships between the magnetic moments and
the angular momenta are shown in Fig. 6.38.
The resultant magnetic moment µ is not along j. Since 1 and s
precess about j, µl and µs must also precess about j.
To find out the resultant magnetic moment of the electron, each
of these vectors µl and µs is resolved into two components, one along
j and the other perpendicular to it. The value of the perpendicular
component of each vector, averaged over a period of the motion
will be zero, since it is constantly changing direction. The effective
magnetic moment of the electron will be
µj = component of µl along the direction of j + component of µs Fig. 6.38
along the direction of j
eh eh
= 1 cos (1, j) + 2s cos (s, j)
4πm 4πm
STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM 115

eh
= [1 cos (1, j) + 2s cos (s, j)]
4πm
But according to cosine law,
l 2 + j 2 – s2
cos (1, j) =
2l j
s2 + j 2 – l 2
and cos (s, j) =
2s j
eh  l 2 + j 2 – s 2 s 2 + j 2 – l 2 
Hence, mj =  + 
4πm  2j j 
eh  3 j 2 + s2 – l 2 
=  
4πm  2j 
eh  j 2 + s2 – l 2 
= j 1 + 
4πm  2 j2 
Writing j2 = j (j + 1) and so on,
eh  j ( j + 1) + s ( s + 1) – l (l + 1) 
mj = j 1 + 
4πm  2 j ( j + 1) 
j ( j + 1) + s ( s + 1) – l (l + 1)
The quantity 1 + =g
2 j ( j + 1)
is called the Lande g factor.
eh
Hence mj = g j.
4πm
If the atom is placed in a weak magnetic field, the total angular momentum vector j precesses
about the direction of the magnetic field as axis.
The additional energy ∆E due to the action of the magnetic field on this atomic magnet is
eh
DE = µ j B cos ( j , B) = g jB cos ( j , B).
4πm
But j cos (j, B) = the projection of the vector j on the direction of the magnetic field = mj.
eh
Hence, DE = Bgm j .
4πm
eh
The quantity B is called a Lorentz unit. It is a unit of energy used for expressing the
4πm
splitting of the energy levels in a magnetic field.
Since mj has (2j + 1) values, a given energy level is split up into (2j + 1) sublevels with the
application of magnetic field. When this mj is subjected to the selection rule ∆mj = 0 or ±1, we get
the transitions shown in Fig. 6.39 for the sodium D-lines.
The ground state 2S1/2 splits into two sublevels. Here,
1 1
l = 0, s = ; j = ; hence,
2 2
1 3 1 3
× + ×
g = 1 + 2 2 2 2 = 2.
1 3
2× ×
2 2
116 MODERN PHYSICS

Fig. 6.39
1 1
Since mj can have the values and – , gmj can have the values +1 and –1. The following
2 2
table (Table 6.3) gives the values for the quantum numbers necessary for the determination of the
splitting factor gmj for each of the energy levels of the sodium D-lines.
The longer wavelength component 2P1/2 → 2S1/2 splits into four lines. The shorter wavelength
component 2P3/2 → 2S1/2 splits into six lines.
Thus the introduction of electron spin has led to complete agreement between the experimental
results and the theory of the anomalous Zeeman effect.
TABLE 6.3
State l s j g mj mj g

2 1 1 2 1 1 1, –1
S1/2 0 ,–
2 2 2 2
2 1 1 2 1 1 1, – 1
P1/2 1 ,–
2 2 3 2 2 3 3

3 4 3, 1
1 2, 2
2
P3/2 1 2 2 3 2 2 3
−3
–1, – 2, –2
2 2 3

6.27 Paschen-Back Effect

Paschen and Back found that whatever be the anomalous Zeeman pattern of
a given line in a weak magnetic field, the pattern always approximates the normal
Zeeman triplet as the field strength is progressively increased. This reduction may
occur either through the coalescence of lines or through the disappearance of
certain lines. This transition phenomenon is called Paschen-Back effect.
Explanation. In a strong magnetic field, the coupling between l and s
breaks down, and j loses its significance. l and s are quantised separately. l and s
precess separately about the external magnetic field B independent of each other
(Fig. 6.40). The energy change due to the presence of the field will then be made
up of two parts, one arising from the precession of l about B and the other from
the precession of s about B.
Hence ∆E = (∆E)l + (∆E)s
eh Fig. 6.40
= B [l cos (l , B) + 2 s cos ( s, B )]
4πm