Questions about Quantum state, Pauli exclusion principle and chemistry.

Click For Summary
The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two fermions can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously, meaning they must have different quantum numbers. This principle is crucial in chemistry because it prevents all electrons in an atom from occupying the lowest energy state, allowing them to occupy higher energy orbitals. As a result, electrons can engage in bonding with nearby atoms, facilitating the formation of chemical compounds. The ability of electrons to occupy different energy levels is essential for the diversity of chemical interactions. Understanding this principle clarifies the foundational role of quantum mechanics in chemistry.
PrincePhoenix
Gold Member
Messages
116
Reaction score
2
According to this website,
http://www.particleadventure.org/pauli.html
"At one time, physicists thought that no two particles in the same quantum state could exist in the same place at the same time. This is called the Pauli Exclusion Principle, and it explains why there is chemistry."
1-What does the "particles in the same quantum state" mean? Does it mean particles for which all four quantum numbers are the same or something else?
2-How does it explain there is chemistry?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
1- yes, pretty much
2- if all particles could occupy the same state, (ie. in the chemistry example if electrons were not fermions) they would all occupy the ground state, and never leave. the forcing of electrons into outer orbitals makes it energetically favourably for some electrons to jump into orbitals of nearby atoms to form ionic bonds, and so on...
 
Thanks. That made it clear for me.
 

Thread 'Two equivalent statements of time reversal symmetric Hamiltonian'

Time reversal invariant Hamiltonians must satisfy ##[H,\Theta]=0## where ##\Theta## is time reversal operator. However, in some texts (for example see Many-body Quantum Theory in Condensed Matter Physics an introduction, HENRIK BRUUS and KARSTEN FLENSBERG, Corrected version: 14 January 2016, section 7.1.4) the time reversal invariant condition is introduced as ##H=H^*##. How these two conditions are identical?
View full post »

Similar threads

Undergrad Two hydrogen atoms and Pauli's exclusion principle
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Undergrad Pauli exclusion principle and Hermitian operators
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Undergrad How does the Pauli exclusion principle work?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Linear combination of states with Pauli's principle
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Pauli Exclusion Principle: Quantum Coherence & Range
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad Weakly interacting electrons in an atom
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Bypassing Pauli Exclusion principle.
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Electrons, Muons and Pauli Exclusion
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad General Concepts About Fermi-Dirac Distribution
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Graduate Virtual Fermions and Pauli Principle
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K