Thomas precession, named after L.H. Thomas, is a correction to the spin-orbit interaction in Quantum Mechanics, which takes into account the relativistictime dilation between the electron and the nucleus in hydrogenic atoms. Llewellyn Hilleth Thomas born in 1903 died in 1992. ... Spin-orbit interaction, in quantum mechanics, is the effect of the magnetic field (due to the electron moving through the electric field of the nucleus) interacting with the spin magnetic moment of the electron. ... Fig. ... A simple introduction to this subject is provided in Special relativity for beginners Special relativity (SR) or the special theory of relativity is the physical theory published in 1905 by Albert Einstein. ... Time dilation is a consequence of Albert Einsteins theories of relativity. ... Properties The electron is a subatomic particle. ... Plural: nuclei In chemistry and physics, the nucleus (atomic nucleus) is the collection of protons and neutrons in the center of an atom that carries the bulk of the atoms mass and positive charge. ... A hydrogen atom is an atom of the element hydrogen. ...
To understand how the Thomasprecession for simple circular motion can be deduced from the basic principles of special relativity, we can begin by supposing the circular path of a particle is approximated by an n-sided polygon, and consider the transition from one of these sides to the next, as illustrated below.
This is the amount by which the two vectors are skewed with respect to the K frame due to the transition around a single vertex of the polygon, given that the transported vector makes an angle q with the edge leading into the vertex.
It just so happens that a particular magnetic interaction yields a precession of twice the frequency, and the opposite sign, as the Thomasprecession, so the sum of the two effects is half the size of the magnetic effect alone.
Thomas (who taught for years over at NC State) showed in 1927 that the discrepancy is due to a relativistic kinematic correction like that we previously considered.
When Thomasprecession is taken into account, not only are both the fine structure and anomalous Zeeman effect in atoms accomodated, but a deeper understanding of the spin-orbit interaction in nuclear physics (and rotating frames in general) also results.
is the angular velocity of the precession of the frames.
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