What would happen to pauli exclusion principle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Pauli exclusion principle (PEP) and its implications, particularly in extreme conditions such as black holes. Participants explore theoretical scenarios where electrons might occupy the same quantum state and the consequences of such situations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons can occupy the same state, questioning the implications if this were to be violated.
  • One participant explains that the antisymmetry of the total wavefunction for electrons prevents them from being in the same state, posing a hypothetical scenario to explore the consequences.
  • Another participant suggests that while two fermions cannot occupy the same state, they can be very close in position, though electrostatic repulsion complicates this arrangement.
  • Several posts raise questions about the behavior of electrons and other fermions in black holes, particularly regarding energy conversion and the potential violation of the PEP at singularities.
  • One participant argues that matter entering a black hole may be absorbed as energy, implying that it no longer exists as fermions, thus avoiding a violation of the PEP.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the implications of the PEP in extreme conditions, particularly related to black holes. There is no consensus on how the PEP is maintained or violated in these scenarios.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the behavior of fermions under extreme gravitational conditions and the relationship between energy conservation and the PEP in the context of black holes.

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Pauli exclusion principle say that no two electrons can occupy the same state. But what would happen if we force them to occupy the same states?
 
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No two electrons can occupy the same state. Therefore your two cows *AHEM* electrons don't exist.
 
The pauli exclusion principle ultimately comes from the fact that the total wavefunction for a system of electrons must be antisymmetric. So, for example, if I have two electrons (with coordinates r1 and r2, respectively) and two states [itex]\phi[/itex] and [tex]\chi[/tex] the the total wavefunction would be
[tex] \Psi_{\rm tot}(r_1,r_2)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(\phi(r1)\chi(r2)-\chi(r1)\phi(r2)\right)\;.[/tex]

so now, you tell me... what happens if the electrons are in the same state (i.e., if [itex]\phi=\chi[/itex])
 
Can't put two fermions in the same state, but you can come very close. That is, for 2 spin up electrons, one could be at x=1.0, and another at 1.000000000000000001. Of course the electrostatic repulsive force between the two would make the assemblage difficult.
Regards,
Reilly Atkinson
 
When electrons or other fermions are sucked into a black hole, are they converted to energy? Otherwise, how is the PEP not violated then by the singularity?
 
peter0302 said:
When electrons or other fermions are sucked into a black hole, are they converted to energy? Otherwise, how is the PEP not violated then by the singularity?

AFAIK there is no violation of PEP, let alone conservation of energy. The universe outside of the event horizon gains energy and the black hole loses it. Net gain/loss to the universe 0.
 
That doesn't answer the question. How does matter get packed into a single point in space without violating the PEP? The only thing I can conclude is everything that goes into the black hole gets abosrobed as energy and therefore is no longer a fermion.
 

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