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ATM-32

Reduced mass

Nucleus recoils.

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Atomicreduced mass

Governing equation

μ=mM/(m+M)\mu=mM/(m+M)

where

m
Light (u)
M
Heavy (u)
\mu
Reduced (u)

Lecture brief

Historical brief

Balmer, Rydberg, Bohr (1913), fine structure, Zeeman and Stern–Gerlach built the spectrum of one atom. The lab computes levels, selection and magnetic splitting. This sheet (ATM-32 — Reduced mass) is the form associated with reduced mass. Working symbols: mm, MM →\rightarrow μ\mu. Nucleus recoils.

Purpose

Purpose: compute μ\mu from mm, MM in Atomic physics via μ=mM/(m+M)\mu=mM/(m+M) Nucleus recoils. Use it when a real atomic physics question must be answered in SI before a code check.

Live realistic example

In symbols

Live case. Given m=5.480e−4 um = 5.480e-4\,\mathrm{u}, M=1.007 uM = 1.007\,\mathrm{u}, the governing relation μ=mM/(m+M)\mu=mM/(m+M) yields μ=5.477e−4 u\mu = 5.477e-4\,\mathrm{u}. Nucleus recoils. Move a slider: the numbers are this situation, not a canned story.

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Inputs

Outputs

  • Reduced \mu0.000548 u
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Narration of this film

Nucleus recoils.

Nucleus recoils.

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