What is, really, the spin of an electron?

Question

(sorry for my english)

Hi everyone,

Earlier today, i was studying the electronic distribution of atoms and it was all going fine until it got to the part about spin. My textbook presented spin as if it was just a fact, with no causes or consequences, which is weird, since my physics teacher always tells us to try to contextualize phenomena so, i decided to do some research into why electrons spin, and it consequences.

I’ve spent pretty much the whole day trying to understand what causes the electron to spin, and what arises from it, but I still couldn’t find a satisfactory answer. At first, I read that the spin of electrons create the magnetic field of an atom, but then another page told me that it has little do with it. Then, there’s a whole thing that they don’t actually spin at all, which confused me even further.

To be frank I’m completely lost in the matter, and I would appreciate any direction as to Why and How the electron spins, and if the spin is what creates the magnetic field or not.

Thanks,

Terec

In: Physics

Answer 1

If you’re taking an introductory chemistry class, further research is going to be confusing because they tell us little lies in early chemistry to aid in our understanding. They clear it up in more advanced classes. For example, intro chemistry 101 says the protons of atoms never change.. a semester or 2 later you learn about nuclear radiation and proton emissions

Are you doing electron configuration with different shells?

think of spin as another dimension electrons move in. Remember the orbitals are electron clouds, its where you have the best chance of finding the electron, its not a rigid path. If you just need to understand to complete assignments, just remember spin directions must oppose in the same orbital/shell.. one up, one down, and so on.. electrons are negatively charged so they ALWAYS repel eachother.

Also, electrons are so small that they do not follow the laws of physics as you and I follow them. Talking about electrons goes extremely deep, people base entire degrees and careers on electrons and the theories get extremely complex.

If I knew what classes you’re taking I feel I could give you a better direction.. but consider this, my answer and your question are about subatomic particles, things going *within* a single atom/Molecule.

When talking about magnetism and electrons, like in physics, it’s referring to forces *between* 2 atoms or molecules..

Hope this helps! I used to tutor chemistry in undergrad