Stern-Gerlach Experiment

Stern-Gerlach Experiment Screenshot
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Spin
  • Quantum Measurement

Topics

  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Spin
  • Quantum Measurement

Description

The classic Stern-Gerlach Experiment shows that atoms have a property called spin. Spin is a kind of intrinsic angular momentum, which has no classical counterpart. When the z-component of the spin is measured, one always gets one of two values: spin up or spin down.

Sample Learning Goals

  • Describe the observations made in the Stern-Gerlach experiment.
  • Describe how spins behave in the presence of a magnetic field.
  • Recognize that spin is quantized.
  • Describe how measuring spin along some direction changes its state.
  • Argue from experimental observations that spin in the x direction and spin in the z direction must be incompatible observables.
Version 2.02

Teacher Tips

Download teacher tips PDF Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ).

Teacher-Submitted Activities

Visualization and Visual Illusions SIM Homework A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman UG-Intro HW Physics
Stern Gerlach clicker questions A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Sam McKagan, Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman, and Noah Finkelstein UG-Intro
UG-Adv
CQs Physics
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? This contribution was designed by PhET. Sarah Borenstein MS Other Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment Elyse Zimmer HS
MS
Other Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Spinometer Doug Mounce UG-Adv Demo Physics
Spinometer Chris Mounce UG-Adv Demo

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Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Michael Dubson (developer/lead)
  • Sam McKagan (co-lead)
  • Carl Wieman
  • Interviewer: Sam McKagan