Skip to content
Question of 55

Q.Derive an expression for the magnetic dipole moment of a revolving electron.

Andhra Pradesh BieapBIEAP Intermediate Board 2026Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
0% · 0/55 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

An electron revolving around the nucleus is equivalent to a tiny current loop; its associated orbital magnetic moment is μ_L = evr/2, which can be written as μ_L = (e/2m)L in terms of its orbital angular momentum.

Consider an electron of charge −e-e and mass mm revolving in a circular orbit of radius rr around the nucleus with speed vv (as in the Bohr model). This orbiting charge constitutes a tiny current loop.

Time period of revolution: T=2πrvT = \dfrac{2\pi r}{v}.

Equivalent current due to the revolving electron (charge passing a point per unit time):

i=eT=ev2πri = \frac{e}{T} = \frac{ev}{2\pi r}

This current loop of radius rr has a magnetic (dipole) moment

μL=i×(area)=ev2πr×πr2=evr2\mu_L = i\times(\text{area}) = \frac{ev}{2\pi r}\times \pi r^2 = \frac{evr}{2}

The orbital angular momentum of the electron is L=mvrL = mvr, so vr=L/mvr = L/m. Substituting, …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.