Does Pauli's Exclusion Principle Apply to the Entire Universe?

In summary, the existence of Pauli's exclusion principle was discovered from a video where it was explained to apply to the whole universe. However, according to Wikipedia, the principle usually only applies to particles in proximity and not those in different locations. This topic is being discussed on a forum with responses from Prof. Brian Cox, who still maintains that every electron in the universe knows about the state of every other electron, but the effect is so small that it is not measurable. To fully understand the details, one would need to learn QFT.
  • #1
gibbson_e
4
0
I discovered the existence of Pauli's exclusion principle from this section of this video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f9wcSLs8ZQ&t=35m30s

If you watch it for a bit, he explains that it applies to the whole universe. Is this true? On Wikipedia it says otherwise:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauli_exclusion_principle
"For example, no two electrons in a single atom can have the same four quantum numbers; if n, l, and ml are the same, ms must be different such that the electrons have opposite spins, and so on."

If it applies to the whole universe, that's ****in insane.
 
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  • #2
The principle is usually to applied to particles in proximity. Particles in different locations are different enough by location.
 
  • #4
So the jist of that is Brian Cox is wrong about instantaneous? He still persists to say that "And so, every electron in the Universe knows about the state of every other electron"
 
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  • #5
He isn't wrong, the effect simply isn't measurable and is infact so small as to be slightly meaningless. At least that's how I understands it... seems like you need to learn QFT if you want to go into the nitty gritty details.
 

FAQ: Does Pauli's Exclusion Principle Apply to the Entire Universe?

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.

2. Who discovered the Pauli exclusion principle?

The Pauli exclusion principle was first proposed by Austrian physicist Wolfgang Pauli in 1925.

3. What is the significance of the Pauli exclusion principle?

The Pauli exclusion principle is essential for understanding the behavior of electrons in atoms and molecules. It explains the formation of electron shells and the stability of matter.

4. Does the Pauli exclusion principle only apply to electrons?

No, the Pauli exclusion principle applies to all fermions, including protons, neutrons, and quarks.

5. How does the Pauli exclusion principle relate to the periodic table?

The Pauli exclusion principle is responsible for the arrangement of electrons in energy levels and sublevels in the periodic table. It also explains why there is a limit on the number of electrons that can occupy each orbital in an atom.

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