Why the orbitals can contain maximum of 2 electrons?

[Raghav Gupta]

Main Question or Discussion Point

why orbitals like s, px, py, pz etc can hold maximum of 2 electrons?
Why not some other number?

 

[Quantum Defect]

why orbitals like s, px, py, pz etc can hold maximum of 2 electrons?
Why not some other number?

Look up Pauli exclusion principle. http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Inorganic_Chemistry/Electronic_Configurations/Pauli_Exclusion_Principle

 

[mfb]

Electrons have spin 1/2, so they just have two different states (called "up" and "down"). The Pauli exclusion principle does not allow multiple electrons in the same state.

 

[Raghav Gupta]

Look up Pauli exclusion principle. http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Inorganic_Chemistry/Electronic_Configurations/Pauli_Exclusion_Principle

The link is assuming that we are aware that the orbital can hold maximum of two electrons and then assigning 1/2 and -1/2 spins to two electrons.

Electrons have spin 1/2, so they just have two different states (called "up" and "down"). The Pauli exclusion principle does not allow multiple electrons in the same state.

Why in Pauli exclusion principle the electrons have 1/2 and -1/2 spin accounting for 2 electrons?
For example if we have 1/4 spin, then we can have 4 electrons in an orbital, with 2 electrons having 1/4 spin and other 2 -1/4 spin.

 

[bhobba]

For example if we have 1/4 spin, then we can have 4 electrons in an orbital, with 2 electrons having 1/4 spin and other 2 -1/4 spin.

Spin 1/4 is impossible - its a basic property of spin as just about any book on QM will derive eg see page 144 of Dirac - Principles Of QM which is the book the came to hand. It can only be values +-n/2 where n is an integer. It turns out for electrons, as explained by Quantum Field Theory, they have only values +-1/2.

Thanks
Bill

 

[Raghav Gupta]

Not read that book. I think it is taught in university. Is that true?
Well I was reading a high school level stuff.

 

[bhobba]

Not read that book. I think it is taught in university. Is that true? Well I was reading a high school level stuff.

Yes.

That being the case you just have to take our word for it.

Thanks
Bill

 

[Raghav Gupta]

That being the case you just have to take our word for it.

Thanks
Bill

Okay and thanks, but why are you thanking Bill. I nowhere find Bill in the discussion.

 

[bhobba]

Okay and thanks, but why are you thanking Bill. I nowhere find Bill in the discussion.

I am Bill - that's what the b in bhobba is.

Its just acknowledging the reader going to the trouble to read and consider what I wrote.

Many moons ago when I was a team leader doing programming work my director always signed her communications like that and I, being on the receiving end of it, thought it nice enough that I should reciprocate.

As a young person starting out its something to think about as well. Over the years I have unfortunately found, and I am far from immune to this, that those involved in highly technical pursuits sometimes forget we are dealing with human beings and this type of thing keeps you grounded.

Thanks
Bill

 

[Raghav Gupta]

Yeah understood

Thanks for the explanation
Raghav

 

[Kidiz]

Okay and thanks, but why are you thanking Bill. I nowhere find Bill in the discussion.

OFF-TOPIC:

Omg. I just have to say that I laughed for like 2mins after reading this. So funny mate!

 

[mfb]

Spin 1/4 is impossible - its a basic property of spin as just about any book on QM will derive eg see page 144 of Dirac - Principles Of QM which is the book the came to hand. It can only be values +-n/2 where n is an integer. It turns out for electrons, as explained by Quantum Field Theory, they have only values +-1/2.

To extend that: particles with spin 1 can have +1, 0 and -1, particles with spin 3/2 can have +3/2, +1/2, -1/2, -3/2 and so on. Particles with spin 0 have no choice.
The exclusion principle applies to fermions only, those are particles with non-integer spin values (1/2, 3/2, ...).

 

[Raghav Gupta]

To extend that: particles with spin 1 can have +1, 0 and -1, particles with spin 3/2 can have +3/2, +1/2, -1/2, -3/2 and so on. Particles with spin 0 have no choice.
The exclusion principle applies to fermions only, those are particles with non-integer spin values (1/2, 3/2, ...).

Thanks. Not read about this earlier. Will see to it some time later.

 

[DrDu]

I am Bill - that's what the b in bhobba is.
l

And I always thought that it is an indian name! :-)