What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy an orbital according to the Pauli exclusion principle?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the Pauli exclusion principle in quantum mechanics, which dictates how many electrons can occupy a single orbital.
Answer
No more than two electrons can occupy an orbital.
The final answer is that, according to the Pauli exclusion principle, a maximum of two electrons can occupy an orbital, and they must have opposite spins.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that, according to the Pauli exclusion principle, a maximum of two electrons can occupy an orbital, and they must have opposite spins.
More Information
The Pauli exclusion principle is crucial for understanding the arrangement of electrons in atoms and the structure of the periodic table. It helps explain electron configuration and the chemical properties of elements.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse the total number of electrons an atom can have with the number of electrons an orbital can hold. Remember, each individual orbital can only hold two electrons.
Sources
- Pauli Exclusion Principle - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
- According to the Pauli exclusion principle, why is it | Chegg ... - chegg.com
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