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

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SUMMARY

The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons can occupy the same quantum state within a single atom. However, in a system of interacting elements, such as multiple atoms, electrons can share the same quantum state if the atoms are not interacting strongly. For instance, two free hydrogen atoms can have electrons in the same state, while electrons in a helium atom must occupy different states due to stronger interactions. This principle applies universally, but the context of interaction determines the behavior of electrons across different atoms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum states and electron configurations
  • Familiarity with atomic structure and electron interactions
  • Knowledge of the Pauli Exclusion Principle
  • Basic concepts of quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the Pauli Exclusion Principle in multi-electron systems
  • Explore quantum mechanics principles related to electron interactions
  • Study the differences in electron configurations between hydrogen and helium
  • Investigate the role of quantum states in chemical bonding
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Students of physics, quantum mechanics researchers, and anyone interested in atomic theory and electron behavior in various elements.

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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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
 
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.
 

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