14 years ago
kirchwey
Favorite Answer
Basically the principle sets a limit of 1 on the number of fermions (a subclass of particles that includes neutrons, protons and electrons) that can occupy a given quantum state (or set of quantum numbers) in an atom. Applied to electron orbits this gives limits to the population capacity of each orbit and hence influences atomic valence and periodic table placement. See the two refs. for a more in-depth explanation.
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