College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
7B20.10 - Zeeman Effect
Code Number:
7B20.10
Demo Title:
Zeeman Effect
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Fine Line Splitting
Area of Study:
Modern Physics
Procedure:
NOTE: This effect will not be perfectly displayed in the classroom due to the fact that it is moved in on a rolling table, therefore some vibrations will affect the alignment slightly. Since we are not making measurements we don't need perfect alignment to adequately see the desired effect.
Plug in the table and turn on the power supply which will turn on the mercury vapor lamp. DO NOT turn on the magnet yet. Re-align the rail with the magnet so that the pattern is seen and centered in the camera. The rail may also need to be leveled to get the patterned centered. (It may help to remove the camera and observe the pattern image coming directly through the etalon during the alignment/centering step). Once the circular pattern is seen, you can adjust the camera focus and zoom to get the desired pattern size. At this point, you may turn on the magnet and observe the change in the pattern. Note that when you turn the magnet on, current flows in the magnet even though the pot current control is turned all the way down. As you increase the current in the magnet, observe how the pattern changes and how the fine spitting becomes much more apparent.
Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.