- #1
Xcellerator
- 8
- 0
Hi,
I've had something that's been bothering me for a while and I've been researching it, but I just want to clear something up.
I understand that the exclusion principle dictates that fermionic particles with half-integer spin have an anti-symmetrical wavefunction under exchange, and therefore implies that no two fermions can have have the exact same quantum numbers.
I understand how this can apply to a single atom, in that each electron must be in a different quantum state (of n,l,m & s), but I do not understand how it can still apply to anything larger than a single atom.
If I had two hydrogen atoms, then the two innermost electron shells of one of them would have the same set of quantum numbers as the other one. Does the exclusion principle not apply to larger systems?
Also, if a wavefunction was computed of two hydrogen atoms then how can the two innermost electrons of each atoms NOT have the same quantum number.
I get the feeling I've either missed something tiny or something massive, so any response is greatly appreciated...
I've had something that's been bothering me for a while and I've been researching it, but I just want to clear something up.
I understand that the exclusion principle dictates that fermionic particles with half-integer spin have an anti-symmetrical wavefunction under exchange, and therefore implies that no two fermions can have have the exact same quantum numbers.
I understand how this can apply to a single atom, in that each electron must be in a different quantum state (of n,l,m & s), but I do not understand how it can still apply to anything larger than a single atom.
If I had two hydrogen atoms, then the two innermost electron shells of one of them would have the same set of quantum numbers as the other one. Does the exclusion principle not apply to larger systems?
Also, if a wavefunction was computed of two hydrogen atoms then how can the two innermost electrons of each atoms NOT have the same quantum number.
I get the feeling I've either missed something tiny or something massive, so any response is greatly appreciated...