zlacker

>>qqqqqu+(OP)
Quantum spin. Electrons aren't really spinning, right? But why do we call it spin? I know it has something to do with angular momentum. What are the possible values? Is it a magnitude or a vector? Is there a reason we call it "spin" instead of "taste" or some other arbitrary name? How do you change it? What happens to it when particles interact?

>>pjungw+uk
Electrons have both angular momentum and magnetic momentum, these have fixed magnitudes and they are always parallel.

The situation is somewhat similar to a classical spinning charged sphare, although this similarity easily breaks down.