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Two spin 1/2 electrons are placed in a 1D harmonic oscillator potential of angular frequency

A) ω
B) α
C) β
D) γ

User Yoely
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The student is asking about electron spin in a quantum mechanical system of a 1D harmonic oscillator potential, considering the Pauli Exclusion Principle and the quantized nature of electron spin with specified quantum numbers. No Option is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the concept of electron spin in a quantum mechanical context, specifically in relation to a system where two spin 1/2 electrons are placed in a one-dimensional (1D) harmonic oscillator potential.

The harmonic oscillator potential confines particle motion between two turning points, and in a classical picture, the energy of the oscillator is given by E = KA²/2. Within quantum mechanics, this model is often used to describe vibrational modes of molecules or trapped particles.

In the context of spin 1/2 particles, like electrons, the Pauli Exclusion Principle is also relevant as it states that no two electrons can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. Each electron is described by a set of quantum numbers, including the spin quantum number (s) and the spin projection quantum number (ms). The only value allowed for s for an electron is 1/2, and the ms can be +1/2 or -1/2 (spin up or spin down).

User Warrenfitzhenry
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