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Pauli exclusion principle

The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two identical fermions can occupy the same quantum state. In an atom, no two electrons can share all four quantum numbers.

Why scientists care

The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two identical fermions can occupy the same quantum state. In an atom, no two electrons can share all four quantum numbers.

This rule is fundamental to electron-shell structure and therefore to the architecture of the periodic table.

A concrete example

Two electrons can share an orbital only with opposite spins; no two electrons in one atom share all four quantum numbers.

Try to notice

Science becomes memorable when a definition is connected to something measurable or observable.

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