Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 41 - Atomic Physics - Exercises and Problems - Page 1245: 24

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ The diagram below shows all possible orientations of the angular momentum vector $ \vec{L} $ for $ l = 3 $, with each vector labeled by the corresponding $ m $ value. Each vector originates from the same point and is placed on cones with the z-axis as the axis of rotation. There two copies of the diagram, one is 3D and the other is side view 2D. $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ The angle between $ \vec{L} $ and the z-axis is given by: $$ \theta = \cos^{-1} \left( \frac{L_z}{L} \right) $$ where $ L_z = m\hbar $ and $ L = \sqrt{l(l+1)}\hbar $. For the minimum angle, $ m = l $, so: $$ \theta_{\text{min}} = \cos^{-1} \left( \frac{3\hbar}{\sqrt{3(3+1)}\hbar} \right) $$ $$ \theta_{\text{min}} = \cos^{-1} \left( \frac{3}{\sqrt{12}} \right) = \cos^{-1} \left( \frac{3}{2\sqrt{3}} \right) \approx \color{red}{\bf 30}^\circ $$
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