Zeeman's Phenomenon

Abstract

IN Section A at the Toronto meeting of the British Association, Dr. Lodge raised the question as to whether we should expect on a simple theory that the spectral lines should be simply widened or be doubled by magnetic force. The simple theory depends on the acceleration or retardation of electrons performing circular orbits under the action of a magnetic force normal to the plane of the orbit. If the plane of the orbit be not normal to the magnetic force, it might appear that the acceleration or retardation would be only that due to the component of the force normal to the plane of the orbit. From this it would follow that the lines would be widened and not doubled, because every intermediate acceleration or retardation would occur between the extreme cases of orbits perpendicular to the magnetic force.