Question about the hfs-structure of the H-atom

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Question about the hfs-structure of the H-atom

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Considering the hyper-fine-structure configuration of the H-atom, why is its stable, low energy state (or the "flipped-back" state) the state when the spins of the electron and the proton point in the same direction, ie are parallel (and not antiparallel, as is sometimes stated in the literature)?

asked Jul 26, 2023 in Theoretical Physics by rhkail (0 points) [ no revision ]

Maybe because their magnetic moments are antiparallel (due to different charge signes), and such a configuration realises the minimum of the potential energy of interaction?

commented Jul 26, 2023 by Vladimir Kalitvianski (102 points) [ no revision ]

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