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By virtue of its charge and spin motion, an electron develops a magnetic field. It can be thought of as a small magnet (For more, see paramagnetic and diamagnetic substances). Spin is an intrinsic property of an electron (The intrinsic properties of an electron are charge, mass and spin).
The Magnetic quantum number or the third quantum number can be thought of [somewhat inaccurately] as the [quantised] projection of the angular momentum vector on the z-axis that runs from −l to l in integer units. (l is the Azimuthal quantum number).
Magnetic quantum number is used to indicate magnetic energy levels of the electron when an external magnetic field is applied (Hence the name magnetic quantum number). Incidently, it explains the Zeeman effect.
--ram_einstein 05:29, 22 Oct 2004 (UTC)
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