Does the Pauli Exclusion Principle Apply to All Atoms in the Universe?

In summary, the way Pauli exclusion principle works is that it determines the energy difference between two electrons in the same state.
  • #1
sokol8
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The way I understand Pauli exclusion principle is: no two electrons can be of the same quantum state in an atom. But electrons from two atoms of the same element, let’s say hydrogen for simplicity, are in the same quantum state, is that right? That is what distinguished it from helium for example, different quantum states for electrons one atom, but the same of the two and more atoms of the same element which actually defines the element…Please correct me if I am wrong… Basically does the principle work for one atom as suggested by definition or for all atoms in the Universe as suggested by somebody...
 
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  • #2
sokol8 said:
The way I understand Pauli exclusion principle is: no two electrons can be of the same quantum state in an atom.

Correctly it says that no two electrons can be of the same quantum state in a system of interacting elements. Yes, as everything in the Universe interacts with everything, in principle, there can not be two electrons in the same state in the world. But the energy difference depends of the strength of the interaction, so two free hydrogen atoms in two different vessels can have electrons of the same energy, at the same state, while a hydrogen molecule or a helium atom can not.

ehild
 
  • #3
ehild said:
Correctly it says that no two electrons can be of the same quantum state in a system of interacting elements. Yes, as everything in the Universe interacts with everything, in principle, there can not be two electrons in the same state in the world. But the energy difference depends of the strength of the interaction, so two free hydrogen atoms in two different vessels can have electrons of the same energy, at the same state, while a hydrogen molecule or a helium atom can not.

ehild

Thank you for your answer.
 

What is the Pauli exclusion principle?

The Pauli exclusion principle is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics that states that no two identical fermions (particles with half-integer spin) can occupy the same quantum state at the same time.

Who discovered the Pauli exclusion principle?

The Pauli exclusion principle was discovered by Austrian physicist Wolfgang Pauli in 1925.

What are some real-world applications of the Pauli exclusion principle?

The Pauli exclusion principle has important implications in many areas of physics, including understanding the behavior of atoms, molecules, and electrons in materials. It is also essential for understanding nuclear reactions and the stability of matter.

How does the Pauli exclusion principle affect electron configurations in atoms?

The Pauli exclusion principle dictates that each electron in an atom must have a unique set of quantum numbers, including its energy level, spin, and orbital. This results in the specific electron configurations observed in atoms, with electrons filling up the lowest energy levels first.

Is the Pauli exclusion principle a universal law?

Yes, the Pauli exclusion principle is considered a fundamental law of nature and applies to all fermions, regardless of their location in the universe.

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