Pauli Exclusion Principle and Entanglement

In summary, physicists explain the interaction between fermions through the Pauli exclusion principle, which comes into effect when their wavepackets overlap. Entanglement is not used as an explanation for this interaction, as it requires distinguishable particles. However, the wave function of indistinguishable particles may appear similar to that of entangled particles.
  • #1
g.lemaitre
267
2
How do fermions, which have vast amounts of empty space, know not to occupy the same space as another fermion? Do physicists say that the two fermions become entangled and that is what enables them to be "aware" of the "existence" of the other fermion? Is entanglement used as an explanation for how objects interact with each other?
 
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  • #2
I'm not sure what you mean by "vast amounts of empty space", but in my view, the Pauli exclusion principle doesn't come in until the wavepackets of the fermions in question start to overlap. The PEP is a quantum interference effect anyway and they "feel" it whenever the wavepackets overlap. If they don't overlap, then they don't have the same (spatial) quantum numbers, and they can have the same spin without a problem, i.e. there is no PEP.
 
  • #3
So entanglement is not used to explain how particles are aware of each others' space?
 
  • #4
The wave function of a number of indistinguishable particles looks like the wave function of entangled particles. But you cannot perform entanglement measurements on them even in principle. In order to do this, you have to have distinguishable particles (like in EPR experiments, where the particles usually move in different directions).

See also Arnold Neumeier's FAQ: http://arnold-neumaier.at/physfaq/topics/indistEntangled.html
 

1. What is the Pauli Exclusion Principle?

The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two identical fermions (particles with half-integer spin) can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. This means that two fermions cannot have the same set of quantum numbers, such as energy level, spin, and orbital angular momentum, in an atom or molecule.

2. How does the Pauli Exclusion Principle affect electron configurations?

The Pauli Exclusion Principle dictates that electrons must occupy different energy levels and have different spins within an atom. This leads to the formation of electron shells and subshells, which determine the chemical and physical properties of elements.

3. What is entanglement?

Entanglement is a phenomenon in quantum mechanics where two or more particles become correlated in such a way that the quantum state of one particle cannot be described independently of the other(s). This means that measuring the state of one entangled particle will instantly affect the state of the other(s), regardless of the distance between them.

4. How does entanglement violate the Pauli Exclusion Principle?

The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that two particles cannot occupy the same quantum state. However, in entangled particles, their quantum states are linked and cannot be described separately. This means that entangled particles can have the same quantum numbers, violating the principle.

5. What is the significance of entanglement?

Entanglement has significant implications for quantum computing, cryptography, and teleportation. It also challenges our understanding of reality and the classical laws of physics, leading to ongoing research and discussions in the field of quantum mechanics.

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