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🧲 The Zeeman Effect: How Magnetic Fields Split Spectral Lines

Explore how the Zeeman effect splits a single spectral line into multiple lines when atoms sit in a magnetic field, and how astronomers use it to measure stellar magnetism.

Physics & Mechanics3DModerate60 FPS⚡ Plasma

This simulator shows how a single sharp spectral line splits into multiple closely spaced lines as an external magnetic field is applied, letting you compare the simple normal Zeeman triplet with the more complex, unevenly spaced anomalous pattern produced when electron spin is involved.

🔬 What It Demonstrates

🎮 How to Use

Adjust the magnetic field strength slider to see the spectral line split apart, and toggle between transitions with zero net spin and transitions involving spin to compare the normal and anomalous Zeeman patterns side by side.

💡 Did You Know?

The anomalous Zeeman effect remained unexplained for almost thirty years after its discovery, until physicists realized electrons carry an intrinsic spin, a revelation that reshaped the entire foundation of quantum mechanics.

⚙ Under the hood

Explore how the Zeeman effect splits a single spectral line into multiple lines when atoms sit in a magnetic field, and how astronomers use it to measure stellar magnetism.

physicsspectroscopyquantum-mechanicsastronomymagnetismatomic-physicselectron-spinoptics

3D · Three.js / WebGL renderer · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install