August 21, 2026 8-10 PM

Event Type: Lecture and Stargazing
Title: Do Electrons Spin?
Lecturer: Chip Sebens
Position:Professor
Institution: Caltech
Abstract:
Though physics has made great progress, basic questions about what is going on inside an atom remain open. We know that atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. But, what exactly is an electron? According to one picture, the electron is a tiny (perhaps point-sized) particle that moves around the atom's nucleus. Because the electron acts in some ways like a spinning charged body, it is said to have a property called “spin.” However, it does not actually rotate (like a spinning top). According to a second picture, the electron is a swirling cloud of energy and charge. The electron truly spins. Examining this debate will take us on a tour through classical electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and the philosophy of physics.