Normal vs Anomalous Zeeman Effect | |
| The splitting of a spectral line of an atom into three lines in an external magnetic field is called normal Zeeman effect. | The splitting of a spectral line of an atom into four or more line in the presence of a magnetic field is called anomalous Zeeman effect. |
| This can be explained on the basis of classical physics. | This can only be understood on the basis of quantum mechanics invoking electron spin. |
| Magnetic moment is due to orbital angular momentum. | Magnetic moment is due to both orbital and nonzero spin angular momentum |
| Involves transitions between singlet states. | Involves transitions between doublet, triplet etc states |
| Calcium, copper, zinc, and cadmium are some elements that show this effect. | Sodium and chromium are two elements that show this effect. |