A Semiclassical Model for the Magnetic Moment of an Electron”

The magnetic moment of an electron is (semiclassically) modeled by a loop of current threaded by a flux quantum +o=?ry The integral of the charge density involved in the current is taken to equal the electronic charge. It is shown that the assumption that the moment’s flux is quantized to a value Go implies that the size of the @are) electronic charge must be extremely small (< 10 -57 cm) but the most appropriate loop radius is on the order of the electron Compton radius XeO Using these results, a classical calculation of the static electric and magnetic energies associated with the loop is shown to be in reasonable agreement with the physically observed electron mass o (Submitted to Am. J, Phys. ) * Work supported by the U, S. Energy Research and Development Administration.