Question

Please select statements that satisfy the Pauli exclusion principle.

a) Electron state can hold no more than two electrons.
b) Electrons with the same state must have opposite spins.
c) Electron state can hold no more than four electrons.
d) Electrons with the same state must have the same spins.

Answer 1

The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons can be in the same state, or have the same set of quantum numbers. This principle applies to identical particles with half-integral intrinsic spin, such as electrons. It limits the number of electrons in a subshell to a maximum of two with opposite spins.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers, which means they cannot be in the same state. This principle limits the number of electrons that can occupy each energy level or subshell. Specifically, the Pauli exclusion principle satisfies the following statements:

1. Electron state can hold no more than two electrons: This is true, as the Pauli exclusion principle limits the number of electrons in a subshell to a maximum of two, with opposite spins.
2. Electrons with the same state must have opposite spins: This statement is also correct, as the Pauli exclusion principle requires electrons in the same subshell to have opposite spin orientations.
3. Electron state can hold no more than four electrons: This statement is false. The actual limit set by the Pauli exclusion principle is two electrons in a given subshell.
4. Electrons with the same state must have the same spins: This statement is also false. According to the Pauli exclusion principle, electrons with the same state must have opposite spins.