Stern–Gerlach Beam (Cartoon)
A qualitative animation of an unpolarized atomic beam passing through a region of inhomogeneous magnetic field. Each atom is assigned a random spin projection ±½; the cartoon gradient applies opposite transverse kicks, sending atoms toward two detector channels. Counts illustrate the approach to 50/50 statistics for a symmetric unpolarized source. This complements the sequential Stern–Gerlach probability simulator, which emphasizes projection rules rather than spatial trajectories.
Who it's for: Modern physics lectures introducing spin quantization and the Stern–Gerlach gedankenexperiment.
Key terms
- Stern–Gerlach
- Spin-½
- Quantum Measurement
- Magnetic Dipole
How it works
A qualitative Stern–Gerlach cartoon: silver-like atoms in a beam enter an inhomogeneous magnetic region and are steered up or down according to spin projection S_z = ±ℏ/2. Compare with the sequential SG probability simulator.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this a literal solution of the force equation μ·∇B on trajectories?
- No. It is a schematic visualization: random outcomes ±½ and stylized deflections illustrate the discrete spectrum of S_z. A full semiclassical or wave-packet treatment would track spatial splitting more carefully.
More from Chemistry
Other simulators in this category — or see all 38.
Bloch Sphere & Rabi Drive
Two-level Bloch vector with du/dt = u × ω, ω = (0, Ω, Δ); u_x–u_z view, Rabi flopping when Δ = 0.
Hydrogen |ψ|² (xz slice)
Coulomb hydrogen Z=1: |R_nl|² × |Y_lm|² colormap in the xz plane for textbook n,l states.
Hydrogen: Balmer / Lyman Lines
Rydberg wavelengths 1/λ = R_H (1/n_f² − 1/n_i²); Lyman, Balmer, and Paschen series on a linear spectrum strip.
Heisenberg Product σ_x σ_p
Gaussian position and momentum widths with ℏ = 1; momentum “excess” over the minimum-uncertainty floor.
β⁻ Decay: Electron Spectrum
Continuous kinetic-energy spectrum up to endpoint Q (allowed-decay phase space); missing energy carried by the antineutrino.
Nernst Equation
E = E° − (RT/nF) ln Q: sliders for E°, n, T, and reaction quotient.