Pauli exclusion principle

Pau·li exclusion principle  (pôl, pou-)

n.

See exclusion principle.

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[After Wolfgang Pauli.]

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Pauli exclusion principle

n

(Physics / Atomic Physics) Physics the principle that two identical fermions cannot occupy the same quantum state in a body such as an atom; sometimes shortened to exclusion principle

[from Wolfgang Pauli (1900-58), US physicist born in Austria]

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Pauli exclusion principle  (pôl, pou-)

The principle that two fermions of a given type, such as electrons, protons, or neutrons, cannot occupy the same quantum state. It does not apply to bosons. This principle plays a key role in the electron orbital structure of atoms, since it prevents more than two electrons from occupying any given orbital (two are allowed, since they may have opposite spin, and thus be in different quantum states). See also orbitaldegeneracy pressure

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Pauli exclusion principle - no two electrons or protons or neutrons in a given system can be in states characterized by the same set of quantum numbers exclusion principle law of nature, law - a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature; "the laws of thermodynamics"