Quantum Numbers

Question

Which statement best explains Pauli's exclusion principle?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Principle Statement**: Pauli's Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons in the same atom can have the **exact same set of four quantum numbers** ($n, l, m_l, m_s$).
2. **Practical Consequence**: Since the first three $n, l, m_l$ define a specific orbital, and $m_s$ has only two values ($+1/2, -1/2$), it implies an orbital can hold at most **two electrons**.
3. **Spin requirement**: These two electrons must have **opposite (anti-parallel) spins**.
4. **Counter-options**: Option 1 is the Aufbau principle. Option 3 is Hund's rule. Option 4 is the de Broglie hypothesis.

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Quantum Numbers

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