Stern-Gerlach Experiment
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About
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.
For Teachers
Teacher Tips
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Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
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Authors | Level | Type |
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| Visualization and Visual Illusions SIM Homework |
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Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman | UG-Intro | HW |
| Stern Gerlach clicker questions |
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Sam McKagan, Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman, and Noah Finkelstein | UG-Adv UG-Intro |
CQs |
| How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | |
| Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | |
| MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | HS MS |
Other | ||
| Spinometer | Doug Mounce | UG-Adv | Demo | ||
| Spinometer | Chris Mounce | UG-Adv | Demo |
Translations
Software Requirements
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Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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OS 10.5 or later Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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Credits
| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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