Energy level splitting

Energy level splitting occurs in physics when the degenerate energy levels of two or more states are split because of external fields or other effects. The term is most commonly used in quantum theory in reference to the electron configuration in atoms or molecules.

Examples

• The Zeeman effect - the splitting of electronic levels in an atom because of an external magnetic field.
• The Stark effect - splitting because of an external electric field.
• The Jahn-Teller effect - splitting of electronic levels in a molecule because breaking the symmetry lowers the energy when the degenerate orbitals are partially filled.

See also

• Energy level