Compare the effect of a laboratory magnetic field and a laboratory electric field on…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics · Radiative transitions, external fields and collisions · Radiative transitions, external fields and collisions

Reading the Spectrum, Ch Atoms in an electric field: the Stark effect and polarizability

Problem

Compare the effect of a laboratory magnetic field and a laboratory electric field on the 4s4s ground level of potassium (J=1/2J=1/2, Landé factor gJ=2g_J=2, static polarizability α/4πϵ0=43.4×10−30 m3\alpha/4\pi\epsilon_0=43.4\times10^{-30}\,\mathrm{m^3}). ((a)) In a magnetic field B=0.50 TB=0.50\,\mathrm{T}, calculate the splitting between the two mJ=±12m_J=\pm\tfrac12 sublevels, in cm−1\mathrm{cm^{-1}}. ((b)) In an electric field E=8.0×106 V m−1E=8.0\times10^{6}\,\mathrm{V\,m^{-1}}, calculate the shift of the level (both sublevels move together), in cm−1\mathrm{cm^{-1}}. ((c)) Give the ratio of the electric shift to the magnetic splitting, and explain in one or two sentences why the two effects differ in form.

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