Why Three Electrons Can not Share a Seat
What stops all the electrons from piling up?
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Quarky is writing this for you...
Your turn!
Question 1 of 2How many electrons can share the exact same state?
The story
Quarky tries to squeeze a whole crowd of electrons onto the lowest, comfiest energy seat, but only two will fit, one spinning up and one spinning down. Electrons follow a strict no-sharing rule, so the rest must climb to higher seats. That single rule is what builds the periodic table, gives every element its personality, and keeps you from falling through your chair.
What you'll learn
- Electrons fill energy shells from the bottom up
- No two electrons can be in the exact same state
- Spin up and spin down make two seats per level
- This rule shapes the whole periodic table
- It also keeps solid matter from collapsing
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