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Thread ID: 57247 2005-04-27 13:48:00 Need help on Pauli exclusion principal Renmoo (66) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
349437 2005-04-27 13:48:00 Greetings people, could someone explain to me in as plain English as possible on what's Pauli exclusion principal? I know the basics of atom, however.

Cheers :)
Renmoo (66)
349438 2005-04-27 14:05:00 en.wikipedia.org Greg (193)
349439 2005-04-27 14:08:00 www.scientia.org zqwerty (97)
349440 2005-04-27 14:14:00 This is somewhat beyond my memory of first-year physics, but hopefully I can explain it.


"No two electrons in an atom can have identical quantum numbers. This is an example of a general principle which applies not only to electrons but also to other particles of half-integer spin (fermions). It does not apply to particles of integer spin (bosons)."

from:
hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu

quantum number definitions:
hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu


Basically, this is saying that no two electrons can have the same *set* of quantum numbers (spin which is either half up or half down,two angles and a radius as diagrammed on my second link), which limits the number of electrons in a given state - if Pauli's exclusion principle *didn't* hold, then there would be no limit to how many electrons could drop into the K shell around a nucleus.

Additional links:

www.physlink.com

en.wikipedia.org
Rugrats (6953)
349441 2005-04-27 14:26:00 en.wikipedia.org
I understood almost nothing from Wikipedia's explanation on Pauli Exclusion Principal. That's why, I ask for as plain English as possible. :annoyed: I guess I can only blame my ownself.
Renmoo (66)
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