How does the Pauli exlusion principle work?

In summary: Spin, however, is a quantum number, as is the principal quantum number, orbital quantum number, and magnetic quantum number.In summary, the exclusion principle states that no two electrons can have all of their quantum numbers the same, and since spin is a quantum number that can only have two values, this means that two electrons with opposite spin are the maximum allowed in a single subshell. However, as the number of subshells increases in higher shells, more electrons can occupy the same shell by having different sets of quantum numbers, resulting in more than two electrons in the same shell. This is why the K-shell has two electrons while higher shells can have more.
  • #1
Cibek
13
0
Hello!

From what I have understood, there are two different states that an electron can have (Spin up and spin down), and if two electrons are in the same state their wavefunction collapse. So far so good. In a video I saw, they claimed that because of this, only two electrons can exist in the same shell, because after that they need to jump to the next shell, or energy level. I get the idea of it, but I've been taught in school that the shell closest to the nucleus (K-shell) only has two electrons, but that the rest of the shells have eight. I don't doubt this because that's what the periodic table of the elements is built up from, but the thing I don't understand is:
How can more than two electrons be in the same shell and therefore in the same state?
 
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  • #2
For a more detailed answer, you might want to post this question in the Atomic Physics forum. But here's a quick and dirty response:

The Pauli exclusion principle, applied to electrons bound in an atom, says that no two electrons can have all of their quantum numbers the same. Spin is one quantum number, which can take on only two values (up or down), so a pair of electrons with *all* other quantum numbers the same must have opposite spins. That's where the rule that "only two electrons can exist in the same shell" comes from.

However, the word "shell" is not really correct in the rule as I just stated it above, because a "shell" does not necessarily refer to a single set of values for all of the quantum numbers except spin. That's only true in the lowest shell, the K shell (also called a 1s orbital). In higher shells, there can be more than one set of values for the other quantum numbers in the same "shell", so there can be more than two states for electrons to occupy. There are indeed eight such states in the second "shell", but in higher shells there are more. The following Wikipedia page gives more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_number
 
  • #3
PeterDonis said:
For a more detailed answer, you might want to post this question in the Atomic Physics forum. But here's a quick and dirty response:

The Pauli exclusion principle, applied to electrons bound in an atom, says that no two electrons can have all of their quantum numbers the same. Spin is one quantum number, which can take on only two values (up or down), so a pair of electrons with *all* other quantum numbers the same must have opposite spins. That's where the rule that "only two electrons can exist in the same shell" comes from.

However, the word "shell" is not really correct in the rule as I just stated it above, because a "shell" does not necessarily refer to a single set of values for all of the quantum numbers except spin. That's only true in the lowest shell, the K shell (also called a 1s orbital). In higher shells, there can be more than one set of values for the other quantum numbers in the same "shell", so there can be more than two states for electrons to occupy. There are indeed eight such states in the second "shell", but in higher shells there are more. The following Wikipedia page gives more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_number

Thanks for the reply! What are all the quantum numbers? Is position and momentum part of those? And if so, is that why the K-shell only has two electrons, because it is so tight that they have the same position value (or quantum number) and therefore only can have two "ways to be different", and that being spin? Maybe I'm totally wrong, I'm just speculating. :P
 
  • #4
Cibek, I believe if you take a look at the Wikipedia page that PeterDonis referred to, it will tell you exactly what quantum numbers.
 
  • #5
Cibek said:
From what I have understood, there are two different states that an electron can have (Spin up and spin down), and if two electrons are in the same state their wavefunction collapse.

No, that's not what wavefunction collapse means at all. See here for my explanation of it (and if anyone has a better one, please do post it there).

Two electrons simply cannot be in the same state at the same time. There is no 'if they are.' It's physically impossible. The exclusion principle says exactly this, that it is simply impossible for two electrons to occupy the same state at the same time.

And as was explained above, the only shell that shares all quantum numbers except for spin is the first one. All the other ones have 'subshells,' and the electrons can occupy that. Each 'subshell' represents a different set of quantum numbers, and can house exactly two electrons, one with spin up and another with spin down.

Furthermore, to answer your question just a little bit (do refer to the Wikipedia post), no, position and momentum are not quantum numbers.
 

1. 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 simultaneously. In simpler terms, it means that two particles cannot have the exact same set of quantum numbers, such as energy, spin, and position, at the same time.

2. How does the Pauli exclusion principle relate to electron configuration?

The Pauli exclusion principle is essential in understanding the electron configuration of atoms. It explains why electrons in an atom occupy different energy levels and orbitals, and why each orbital can only hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins.

3. Why is the Pauli exclusion principle important in determining the properties of matter?

The Pauli exclusion principle plays a crucial role in determining the properties of matter, such as its stability, density, and chemical reactivity. It prevents electrons from collapsing into the nucleus and keeps atoms from collapsing into each other, thus giving matter its solid and stable form.

4. How does the Pauli exclusion principle affect the formation of chemical bonds?

The Pauli exclusion principle is the basis for the formation of chemical bonds. It explains why atoms are more stable when they are bonded and why certain atoms can only form specific types of bonds. The principle also determines the shape and properties of molecules, which are crucial in understanding chemical reactions.

5. What happens when the Pauli exclusion principle is violated?

If the Pauli exclusion principle is violated, it would result in the collapse of matter, as electrons would all be in the lowest energy state. This would lead to the instability of atoms and molecules, making it impossible for life and complex structures to exist. Fortunately, this principle has been extensively observed and verified in experiments, and no known violations have been found.

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