Is Quantum Mechanics necessary for understanding electromagnetic phenomena?

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In summary, the article explores whether quantum mechanics is essential for comprehending electromagnetic phenomena. It argues that while classical electromagnetism adequately describes many macroscopic effects, quantum mechanics provides a deeper understanding of microscopic interactions, such as the behavior of photons and electrons. The discussion highlights the limitations of classical theories in explaining certain phenomena, such as the photoelectric effect and atomic spectra, ultimately concluding that quantum mechanics is necessary for a complete understanding of electromagnetic phenomena at the quantum level.
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brianhurren
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TL;DR Summary
link between electron spin and magnetism
Is there a link between electron spin and magnetism? can a magnetic field also be thought of as a 'spin' field. If the eletron spin is linked to the magnetic field then can magnetic repulsion be caused be the pauli exclusion principle?
 
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brianhurren said:
TL;DR Summary: link between electron spin and magnetism

Is there a link between electron spin and magnetism?
There is a link between spin and the magnetic moment of a subatomic particle, but if by “magnetism” you mean magnets attracted to iron and steel and all that…. No. That’s all from molecular magnetic moments dominated by the orbital angular momentum of electrons. In general, magnetic fields are caused by moving electrical charges. So…
can a magnetic field also be thought of as a 'spin' field.
No.
If the electron spin is linked to the magnetic field then can magnetic repulsion be caused be the pauli exclusion principle?
It is not. Magnetic repulsion is an example of the Lorentz force, in which charged particles moving in a magnetic field experience a force.

It’s probably best not to try quantum mechanical explanations of electromagnetic phenomena until you have a solid grasp of classical electromagnetism. For this you’ll want a good undergraduate text.
 
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Nugatory said:
There is a link between spin and the magnetic moment of a subatomic particle, but if by “magnetism” you mean magnets attracted to iron and steel and all that…. No. That’s all from molecular magnetic moments dominated by the orbital angular momentum of electrons. In general, magnetic fields are caused by moving electrical charges. So…No.It is not. Magnetic repulsion is an example of the Lorentz force, in which charged particles moving in a magnetic field experience a force.
How do you come to this idea? Ferro magnetism in, e.g., iron is a quantum effect ("exchange forces") making the alignment of the spins and thus the magnetic moments of the electrons energetically favorable compared to the unpolarized state, which is an example for the spontaneous breaking of symmetry (rotational symmetry). Empirically that becomes clear by the famous fact that the gyrofactor in the Einstein-de Haas effect is 2 and not 1, as falsely claimed by Einstein and de Haas, before it was corrected by a repetition of the experiment by Barnett:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein–de_Haas_effect#History
Nugatory said:
It’s probably best not to try quantum mechanical explanations of electromagnetic phenomena until you have a solid grasp of classical electromagnetism. For this you’ll want a good undergraduate text.
Well, it depends. If it comes to the prediction of material properties (constitutive relations) you cannot do without QT, as this historical example of a theoretical prejudice letting de Haas to ignore measurements indicating the gyrofactor close to 2, which of course in 1916 was unknown since there indeed they thought that magnetism is due to Amperian "molecular circuit currents". The corresponding "currents" due to spin were not known since spin has been discovered only in 1925 (Goudsmit and Uhlenbeck) and the correct gyrofactor of 2 in 1926 (Thomas). Nowadays it's all derived through the Dirac equation + QED radiative corrections (leading to deviations from g=2 for elementary spin-1/2 particles, which are among the best theoretical predictions in comparison to experiment ever).
 

FAQ: Is Quantum Mechanics necessary for understanding electromagnetic phenomena?

Is Quantum Mechanics necessary for understanding basic electromagnetic phenomena?

No, Quantum Mechanics is not necessary for understanding basic electromagnetic phenomena. Classical Electrodynamics, governed by Maxwell's equations, is sufficient to describe most macroscopic electromagnetic phenomena such as electric fields, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic waves.

When is Quantum Mechanics required to explain electromagnetic phenomena?

Quantum Mechanics becomes necessary when dealing with phenomena at very small scales, such as the behavior of individual atoms, electrons, and photons. Examples include the photoelectric effect, atomic spectra, and the behavior of semiconductors.

How does Quantum Mechanics explain the photoelectric effect?

Quantum Mechanics explains the photoelectric effect by introducing the concept of photons, which are quantized packets of electromagnetic energy. According to Quantum Mechanics, a photon must have enough energy to eject an electron from a material, which cannot be explained by classical wave theory alone.

What role does Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) play in understanding electromagnetic phenomena?

Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) is the quantum field theory that describes how light and matter interact. It extends Quantum Mechanics to include the electromagnetic force and provides highly accurate predictions for phenomena such as electron scattering, the Lamb shift, and the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron.

Can classical and quantum descriptions of electromagnetic phenomena coexist?

Yes, classical and quantum descriptions can coexist. Classical Electrodynamics provides an excellent macroscopic description of electromagnetic phenomena, while Quantum Mechanics and QED are required for accurate descriptions at microscopic and quantum scales. Both frameworks are part of a broader understanding of electromagnetic phenomena, each applicable in its respective domain.

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