1
$\begingroup$

The electric charge of an electron at rest is a constant value and is not influenced by the measurement instrument. The measurement instrument by itself can give more or less accurate result, but does not influence the strength of the electron's charge.

What is about the electron's magnetic moment. This moment is clearly linked with the electron's spin. Was the value of this magnetic moment corrected due to the measurement methods or due to a better theory?

The main question is: Is the electron's magnetic dipole moment influenced by the measurement method?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
0
$\begingroup$

What's tabulated by the Particle Data Group is the electron's magnetic moment anomaly, $$ a = \frac{\mu_\mathrm e}{\mu_B} - 1 = \frac{g-2}{2}, $$ which has a magnitude of $a\approx10^{-3}$ and is currently known to about eleven decimal places. (Note that this does not mean we know the electron's magnetic moment to fourteen decimal places: there is also part-per-billion uncertainty in the value of the Bohr magneton, and that uncertainty is increased if you try to use macroscopic units.)

Measurements of the magnetic moment anomaly seem to be based on single trapped electrons; this one is the most recent.

I haven't re-read the most recent CODATA paper to see where the $10^{-9}$ uncertainty in the Bohr magneton comes from. The Bohr magneton is $$ \mu_B = \frac{e\hbar}{2m_\mathrm e} $$ and its uncertainty is larger than the uncertainty in the ratio of the electron mass to the carbon-12 mass, but smaller than the best uncertainty in the value of Planck's constant.

To answer your question directly: isolating the electron's intrinsic magnetic moment from instrumental artifacts is a deeply important part of any such measurement.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ The question was asked in the context of the measured magnetic field around a straight current carrying wire. It is strange, that magnetic field often is not associated with electron's magnetic dipole moment. The alignment of this moments induces a magnetic field. So one has to ask, if a magnetic field is measured where does it comes from. See my explanations about the internal cause of Lorentz force. $\endgroup$
    – HolgerFiedler
    May 16, 2015 at 22:16
  • $\begingroup$ There are arguments in several textbooks which derive the magnetic force between parallel current-carrying wires using electrostatics and special relativity. As I told you in your other question, an intrinsic magnetic moment is not required. I am not able to access your link. $\endgroup$
    – rob ♦
    May 16, 2015 at 22:39

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.