4th Quantum Number [ENDORSED]

[kevinav]

Can somebody explain the concept behind the 4th quantum number? As in, what exactly are the terms magnetic spin, spin up, and spin down?

[Caitlin_Murphy_3C]

in the Stern and Genach Experiment, a beam of silver atoms was passed through a magnetic field. The results showed that the beam interacted with the magnetic field, because it split into two beams after it passed through. This means that 1 unpaired electron can have two different "spin states"; half spin up and half spin down. so basically, the fourth quantum number is either +1/2 or -1/2.

A "spin state" and "magnetic spin" just refers to whether or not the spin is positive or negative (up or down).

"spin up" and "spin down" just refers to whether or not this fourth quantum number of 1/2 is positive or negative. As seen in the experiment, the beam split into two beams with "spin up" electrons going in the upper beam, and "spin down" electrons going in the lower beam.

This was my understanding of the concept, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong! Hope this helps:)