Zeeman effect

noun

, Physics, Optics.

1. the dividing of a spectral line or lines as a result of placing a radiation source in a magnetic field. The division consists of three equally spaced lines normal Zeeman effect in systems for which the spin quantum number is zero, or of three or more unequally spaced lines anomalous Zeeman effect in systems for which the spin quantum number is not zero.

Zeeman effect

/ ˈziːmən /

noun

1. the splitting of a spectral line of a substance into several closely spaced lines when the substance is placed in a magnetic field

Zeeman effect

1. The splitting of single spectral lines of an emission or absorption spectrum of a substance into three or more components when the substance is placed in a magnetic field. The effect occurs when several electron orbitals in the same shell, which normally have the same energy level, have different energies due to their different orientations in the magnetic field. A normal Zeeman effect is observed when a spectral line of an atom splits into three lines under a magnetic field. An anomalous Zeeman effect is observed if the spectral line splits into more than three lines. Astronomers can use the Zeeman effect to measure magnetic fields of stars.
2. Compare Stark effect

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zeeman effect¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; named after P. Zeeman

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zeeman effect¹

C20: named after Pieter Zeeman (1865–1943), Dutch physicist

Example Sentences

There are some interesting phenomena connected with the Zeeman effect which are more easily observed than the effect itself.

From Project Gutenberg