Pauli exclusion principle definition

The Pauli exclusion principle is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics that states that no two identical fermions (particles with half-integer spin, such as electrons) can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously.

In other words, in a system of identical fermions, no two particles can have the same set of quantum numbers (such as energy, momentum, and spin) at the same time.

This principle arises from the wave-like nature of matter and is a consequence of the antisymmetric nature of the wave function describing a system of identical fermions.

Important implications of pauli exclusion principle

The principle has important implications in determining the electronic structure of atoms, molecules, and solids, as it limits the number of electrons that can occupy a given energy level, sublevel, or orbital.

The Pauli exclusion principle plays a key role in many areas of physics, including quantum chemistry, solid-state physics, and condensed matter physics. It is named after the Austrian physicist Wolfgang Pauli, who first formulated the principle in 1925.