A model for quantized motion of an electron in a uniform magnetic field B states that the flux passing through the orbit of the electron is n(h/e) where n is an integer, h is Planck's constant and e is the magnitude of electron's charge. According to the model, the magnetic moment of an electron in its lowest energy state will be (m is the mass of the electron)
- heB m
- heB2 m
- he m
- he2 m
Answer
(4) he2 m
Solution
Lowest energy state: n = 1, so B r2 = he r2 = h eB
Circular motion in the field: evB = mv2r v = eBrm
Magnetic moment of the orbiting electron:
= IA = ev2 r r2 = evr2 = e2Br22m
= e2B2m h eB = he2 m
Answer: (4)