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Reinterpreting Electron Spin 1/2 via a Classical Spiral Orbit Model in Molecular Hydrogen

Kaisheng Li

Published Apr 9, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The electron spin-1/2, a cornerstone of quantum mechanics traditionally viewed as an intrinsic property, is reinterpreted here through a revolutionary classical spiral orbit model in molecular hydrogen (H$_2$). By modeling the electron's motion as a three-dimensional spiral trajectory, we derive the total spin $S = 0.866\hbar$ from x-y plane oscillations and the discrete $S_z = \pm 0.5\hbar$ from a classical quantization of the z-axis projection, eliminating the need for an inherent quantum attribute. The model accurately predicts H$_2$'s ground state ($S = 0$) and triplet state ($S = 1$), matches spectroscopic transitions (e.g., 4.18~eV, 8.69~eV), and reproduces magnetic properties (diamagnetic ground state, paramagnetic excited state) with a refined g-factor $g \approx 1.97$, closely approaching the quantum value of 2. Validated against experimental data, this approach challenges the foundational assumption of intrinsic spin, offering a dynamic, classical explanation that bridges quantum phenomena with intuitive mechanics. This work not only redefines spin's origin but also paves the way for a new paradigm in understanding quantum-classical interfaces.

DOI
10.31219/osf.io/kgxt6_v1

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The electron spin-1/2, a cornerstone of quantum mechanics traditionally viewed as an intrinsic property, is reinterpreted here through a revolutionary classical spiral orbit model in molecular hydrogen (H2_22​). By modeling the electron's motion as a three-dimensional spiral trajectory, we derive the total spin S=0.866ℏS = 0.866\hbarS=0.866ℏ from x-y plane oscillations and the discrete Sz=±0.5ℏS_z = \pm 0.5\hbarSz​=±0.5ℏ from a classical quantization of the z-axis projection, eliminating the need for an inherent quantum attribute. The model accurately predicts H2_22​'s ground state (S=0S = 0S=0) and triplet state (S=1S = 1S=1), matches spectroscopic transitions (e.g., 4.18eV, 8.69eV), and reproduces magnetic properties (diamagnetic ground state, paramagnetic excited state) with a refined g-factor g≈1.97g \approx 1.97g≈1.97, closely approaching the quantum value of 2. Validated against experimental data, this approach challenges the foundational assumption of intrinsic spin, offering a dynamic, classical explanation that bridges quantum phenomena with intuitive mechanics. This work not only redefines spin's origin but also paves the way for a new paradigm in understanding quantum-classical interfaces.
This paper aims to provide a thorough critical analysis of two foundational concepts in modern physics — the Landé g-factor and the electron spin quantum number 1/2. Through meticulous historical examination and logical analysis, this paper argues that these concepts are essentially mathematical fitting parameters introduced to bridge the gap between the old quantum theory and experimental data, lacking a solid foundation in physical mechanism. The core contradiction lies in the subsequent development of wave mechanics, which concluded that "the orbital angular momentum of the hydrogen atom ground state is zero," a conclusion that fundamentally conflicts with observational facts such as the Stern-Gerlach experiment, forcing the spin concept to assume a "remedial" role it never needed to bear. As a solution, this paper presents a new framework based on the "Great Tao Model" and the "Unified Theory of Atomic and Molecular Structure." This framework firmly returns to the realism of classical physics, affirms the orbital motion of electrons around the nucleus and their intrinsic angular momentum, and interprets spin as a real mechanical motion. Crucially, this theory naturally derives the universal magnetic moment-angular momentum relation μ = (e/m) L from the "Existence Field" principle, eliminating the need for any artificial correction factors. Based on this, the paper successfully provides a unified and self-consistent explanation for key phenomena such as the Stern-Gerlach experiment and the normal and anomalous Zeeman effects, thereby achieving a simpler and more fundamental description of physics at the atomic scale.
The original intention of the author’s preoccupation with the quantum-mechanical behaviour of simple atoms and molecules such as Hydrogen and Helium was, on the one hand, the elegant simplicity of Niels Bohr’s atom model for Hydrogen, describing the metastable states of the excited electrons by planar concentric electron orbits, and, on the other hand, the hardly intelligible wave mechanical approach of Heisenberg, Schrödinger and others, describing mainly atoms with multiple electrons by three-dimensional orbitals which were characterized by probabilities of presence. Thereby the question arose whether it would be possible to find alternative atom models with well-defined electron trajectories. Therein, Louis de Broglie’s thesis of the wavy nature of electron motion implicating standing waves would have to be implemented. Nevertheless, as reviewed in the introduction, the orthodox three-dimensional concept influenced the own thinking in such a way that three-dimensional constellations for the electronic excited states were conceived. The break-through was achieved for the electronic ground state in the form of the spin-orbit coupling where the spin acts as a perpetuum mobile, inducing the orbital angular momentum h/2π. Furthermore, the insight was gained that a circularly rotating electron intrinsically corresponds to a harmonic oscillator, thus fulfilling the condition of a standing wave. Based on this concept, a double planar model was established for the H2-molecule which could be empirically verified by X-ray data from literature. However, for the two electrons containing Helium a 2D-array seemed impossible since the Pauli-principle seemed to be violated. After a long stepwise succession of 3D-attempts which turned out to be impossible—not least since eccentric forces are not possible in such a system—the here presented 2D-version for Helium was found, composed by two imaginary orthogonal electron orbits. It will enable in a subsequent publication the quantum mechanical interpretation of the thermal-radiative behaviour of Helium which was reported in the author’s publication nine years ago.
In the 1920s, the old quantum theory was gradually being superseded by the new quantum theory. The cornerstone of the old theory was Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom which predicted that an electron cannot orbit the proton in the hydrogen atom in any arbitrary fashion. Orbits are “quantized”, meaning that only certain sizes, shapes and magnetic properties are allowed. The principal quantum number n determined the allowed radii of the orbits, the orbital quantum number l determined the allowed shapes, and the magnetic quantum number m determined the magnetic behavior. Additionally, there is a fourth quantum number s which denotes the fact that the electron has an additional angular momentum, loosely associated with self rotation about its own axis, and that is quantized in units of (1/2). The old quantum theory was useful to infer the existence of discrete energy levels in atoms, calculate energy spacings between these levels, and therefore allowed one to interpret atomic spectra.
Quantization of spin and orbital angular momenta in standard quantum mechanics is rooted in the fundamental rotational symmetry of space in conjunction with the results of experiments on atomic and subatomic particles conducted with the Stern-Gerlach apparatus. We explain some of the most important features of spin and orbital angular momenta as inescapable consequences of elementary Stern-Gerlach experiments viewed in light of the rotational symmetry of space. The rotation operator is first derived for spin-½ particles, then extended to spin-1 particles by treating the case of a hydrogen atom in its ground state, where the spin of the proton combines with that of the electron to create a spin-1 triplet state. Along the way, we examine the evolution of a particle’s spin state under an applied magnetic field, where the interaction energy arises from the existence of a magnetic dipole moment for each particle in proportion to its spin angular momentum. Whereas a constant magnetic field B0 causes the particle’s magnetic moment to gyrate around the direction of B0, it will be seen that the presence of a small oscillating magnetic field perpendicular to B0 brings about the so-called Rabi oscillations, which involve periodic flippings of the particle’s spin orientation. In the case of a hydrogen atom in its ground state, the interaction between the magnetic dipole moments of the proton and the electron splits the ground state between a lower energy singlet having a net angular momentum of zero (spin-0 state), and a higher energy triplet having a total angular momentum of ħ (spin-1 state). This hyperfine splitting is the source of the well-known 21-cm line observed in the spectrum of the hydrogen atom, which arises from transitions between the atom’s singlet and triplet states. In the final section, we put forward an argument (originally made by Richard Feynman) that ties the rotational symmetry of space to the conservation of angular momentum in quantum mechanics. The argument is, in fact, quite general, enabling one to deduce other conservation laws from various inherent symmetries of quantum mechanical systems.
Spin is an intrinsic form of angular momentum carried by elementary particles, composite particles, and atomic nuclei. It is wildly believed that spin is a purely quantum mechanical concept and has no classical analogue. In fact, elementary particles are conceived as point objects which have no axis to “spin” around. Therefore, there is no explaining how spin arises at the fundamental level, why particles have the values they do, and what underpins the Pauli Exclusion principle and Bose-Einstein behavior. However, spin is like a vector quantity; it has a definite magnitude, and it has a “direction”, in order to spin should be composite. In this paper we propose a physical explanation for spin of the electron at the sub-particle level, relying on the vortex model of the electron. The electron is described as a superfluid frictionless vortex which has a mass, angular momentum and spin to provide a complete explanation of all properties of the electron: it composite, spinning around its own axis, produces a tiny magnetic fields independent of those from its orbital motions. The classical hydrodynamic laws are used to describe the quantum properties of the electron, such as spin, angular momentum, magnetic momentum and a magnetic dipole. The circulation in the vortex is constant, and the angular momentum of the vortex is conserved and has the same value of Planck constant. The direction of the angular momentum of a spinning electron vortex is along the axis of rotation and determined by the direction of spin. The spin quantum number 1/2 has a fixed value which represents the gap between the circulation rate of the core of the vortex and the boundaries of the vortex. The changeable values +1/2 “spin-up” or -1/2 “spin-down” indicate the direction of the magnetic dipole of the vortex. The relation between spin and Planck constant is discussed and the origin h/4pi angular momentum units are revealed.
An alternative method of deriving the values of the observables of atomic systems is presented. Rather than using operators and eigenvalues the local variables method uses the continuity equation together with current densities derived from wave functions that are solutions of the Dirac or Pauli equation. The method is applied to atomic hydrogen using the usual language of quantum mechanics rather than that of geometric algebra with which the method is often associated. The picture of the atom that emerges is one in which the electron density as a whole is rotating about a central axis. The results challenge some assumptions of conventional quantum mechanics. Electron spin is shown to be a property of the dynamical motion of the electron and not an intrinsic property of the electron, the ground state of hydrogen is shown to have an orbital angular momentum of ℏ, and excited states are shown to have angular momenta that are different from the eigenvalues of the usual quantum mechanical operators. The uncertainty relations are found not to be applicable to the orthogonal components of the angular momentum. No double electron spin gyromagnetic ratio is required to account for the observed magnetic moments, and the behavior of the atom in a magnetic field is described entirely in kinetic terms.