Quiz 2

PH-404 Atomic and Molecular Physics

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1. For the transition to occur between states 𝑛 = 3 and 𝑛 = 3, the selection rule requires, (1)
a. ∆𝑛 = +1 c. ∆𝑘 = −1
b. ∆𝑛 = −1 d. 𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒
2. Discuss the effect of finite motion of nucleus on the Rydberg’s constant. (2)
According to Sommerfeld, the nucleus is not stationary, but it has finite motion. Thus, the system of electron and nucleus
revolves about its common center of mass. The mass of hydrogen nucleus is 1836 times greater than the electron mass.
Figure shows the motion of an electron and the nucleus about an axis passing through their center of mass. 𝑑𝑁 and 𝑑𝑒
are the distances of the nucleus and electron from the center of mass (C.M.) respectively. 𝑚𝑁 and 𝑚𝑒 are the masses of
the nucleus and electron respectively. 𝑣𝑁 and 𝑣𝑒 are the velocities of the nucleus and the electron respectively. 𝜔 is the
angular velocity of the nucleus and the electron. According to the conservation of momentum of atom we get,

𝑚𝑁 𝑣𝑁 = 𝑚𝑒 𝑣𝑒 = 𝑝
where 𝑝 is the momentum of the system. The total kinetic energy, T of the system is,
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑁 + 𝑇𝑒
where 𝑇𝑁 and 𝑇𝑒 are the kinetic energies of the nucleus and the electron.
𝑝2
𝑇𝑁 =
2𝑚𝑁
𝑝2
𝑇𝑒 =
2𝑚𝑒
Thus, we get,
𝑝2 𝑚𝑁 + 𝑚𝑒
𝑇= [ ]
2 𝑚𝑁 𝑚𝑒
𝑝2
𝑇=
2𝜇

𝑚 𝑚
where, 𝜇 = [𝑚 𝑁+𝑚𝑒 ] is the reduced mass of the system. With this value of reduced mass 𝜇, the Rydberg constant
𝑁 𝑒

becomes,

𝜇𝑒 4
𝑅𝑆′ = 2 3 = 1.0967758 × 107 𝑚−1
8𝜀0 𝑐ℎ
3. The eccentricity, 𝜖 < 1, could mean, (1)
a. Ellipse c. Circle
b. Parabola d. None of the above
4. Explain in detail the phenomena of space quantization. (2)
 Quiz 2
PH-404 Atomic and Molecular Physics
Due Date: 07.03.2024

In vector atom model, quantum numbers 𝑛, 𝑘 and 𝑚 given by Bohr-Sommerfeld theory are replaced by new quantum
numbers 𝑛, 𝑙 and 𝑚𝑙 as per quantum mechanics. These are the principal quantum number (𝑛), the orbital quantum
number (𝑙) and the orbital magnetic quantum number (𝑚𝑙 ). The values of these quantum numbers are,

𝑛 = 1,2,3, … , ∞
𝑙 = 0,1,2,3, … , (𝑛 − 1)
𝑚𝑙 = −𝑙, (−𝑙 + 1), … ,0,1,2, … , (𝑙 − 1), 𝑙
According to the quantum mechanics, the orbital angular momentum of an electron is given by,
ℎ
𝐿̅ = √𝑙(𝑙 + 1) ( )
2𝜋
The projection of 𝐿̅ on the direction of magnetic field 𝐻
̅ (i.e. along the Z-axis) has magnitudes which are given by,
ℎ
𝐿𝑍 = 𝑚𝑙 ( )
2𝜋
where 𝑚𝑙 is the orbital magnetic quantum number. Figure below represents the space quantization of the orbital
angular momentum for 𝑙 = 2 and 3. For 𝑙 = 2, the number of orientations of 𝐿̅ in space are (2𝑙 + 1) = 5. The
magnitude of 𝐿̅ is given by,
𝑙 ∗ = √𝑙(𝑙 + 1) = √2(2 + 1) = √6
For 𝑙 = 3, the number of orientations of 𝐿̅ in space are (2𝑙 +
1) = 7. The magnitude of 𝐿̅ is given by,
𝑙 ∗ = √𝑙(𝑙 + 1) = √3(3 + 1) = √12
The quantization of the direction of 𝐿̅ with respect to the
̅ , is called space quantization.
external field 𝐻
 Quiz 2
PH-404 Atomic and Molecular Physics
Due Date: 07.03.2024

̅ . (3)
5. Show that the frequency of precession does not depend on the orientation angle between 𝑝̅𝑙 and 𝐻
Consider the orbital motion of electron in the orbit. The orbital motion of the electron gives
rise to the orbital angular momentum 𝑝̅𝑙 , which is the vector perpendicular to the orbit of
the electron. When the atom is placed in the external magnetic field, 𝐻 ̅ , then total orbital
angular momentum vector 𝑝̅𝑙 precess about the magnetic field direction. This precession of
electron orbit is called Larmour precession. The Larmour’s theorem, which is based on the
classical theory of electrodynamics, states that the change in the motion of an electron in
̅ is the precession of orbit about the field direction
the orbit in the external magnetic field 𝐻
with uniform angular velocity, 𝜔𝐿 .
𝑒
𝜔
̅𝐿 = 𝐻
2𝑚𝑐

with uniform frequency, 𝜐𝐿

𝑒
𝜐𝐿 = 𝐻
4𝜋𝑚𝑐

where m is the mass of the electron, c is the velocity of light and e is the charge of the electron. Larmour’s theorem is
very useful for calculating the energy levels of the atom in the presence of the external magnetic field. In vector atom
model, an electron orbit is vectorially represented with the orbital angular momentum 𝑝̅𝑙 . This is known as mechanical
momentum. The angular velocity of precession of 𝑝̅𝑙 about the magnetic field direction is given by,

𝜇̅𝑙
𝜔
̅𝐿 = 𝐻 ∙ ( )
𝑝̅𝑙

̅
𝜇 𝑒
The ratio (𝑝̅𝑙 ) 𝑖 = 2𝑚𝑐, and the frequency of the precession is,
𝑙

𝜔
̅𝐿
𝜐𝐿 =
2𝜋

̅.
The results indicate that the frequency of precession does not depend on the orientation angle between 𝑝̅𝑙 and 𝐻

6. How the Stern and Gerlach experiment verify the space quantization and existence of angular spin
momentum. (3)
The Stern-Gerlach experiment is a classic physics experiment that provided direct evidence for the quantization of
angular momentum and the existence of intrinsic angular momentum, or spin, in particles. In the experiment, a beam of
particles (originally silver atoms) passed through an inhomogeneous magnetic field. According to classical physics, one
would expect the beam to be deflected uniformly, as the magnetic field exerts a force on the magnetic moment of the
particles. However, the results of the Stern-Gerlach experiment were unexpected and revolutionary. Instead of a
continuous spread of deflections, the beam was split into discrete, separate beams. This phenomenon could only be
explained by the quantization of angular momentum inherent in the particles. The experiment verified the concept of
space quantization by demonstrating that the magnetic moment of the particles, and hence their angular momentum,
 Quiz 2
PH-404 Atomic and Molecular Physics
Due Date: 07.03.2024

could only take on specific discrete values when measured along a particular direction. This quantization of angular
momentum is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. Furthermore, the experiment provided evidence for the
existence of intrinsic angular momentum, or spin, in particles. The distinct deflection of the beam into discrete paths
indicated that particles possess an intrinsic angular momentum that is quantized, meaning it can only take on specific
discrete values.

7. For 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 3 find the angle 𝛼, which 𝐿𝑧 makes with z-axis? (3)