Spin in Quantum Physics: An Invisible Property of Particles

  1. Spin is a fundamental quantum property, like charge or mass, but it’s purely invisible.
  2. Despite its name, particles aren’t literally spinning balls—it’s a quantum state.
  3. Spin gives particles a tiny magnetic field, like a built-in compass needle.
  4. Electrons, protons, and neutrons all have spin that affects how they behave.
  5. Spin comes in discrete values, such as “up” or “down” for electrons.
  6. The Pauli exclusion principle—why no two electrons share the same state—arises from spin.
  7. Spin underlies the structure of the periodic table and chemical bonding.
  8. MRI machines work by detecting the spins of protons inside our bodies.
  9. In quantum computing, spin states can act as quantum bits (qubits).
  10. Spin shows how quantum physics encodes hidden properties that shape the universe.