College Physics (10th Edition)
College Physics (10th Edition)
10th Edition
ISBN: 9780321902788
Author: Hugh D. Young, Philip W. Adams, Raymond Joseph Chastain
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 29, Problem 1CQ
To determine

Reason why electrons in the ground state of helium atom should possess opposite spin

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Answer to Problem 1CQ

No two electrons can be in the same state. Thus the two electrons in helium must have different spin.

Explanation of Solution

Ground state configuration of the helium atom is given by 1s2 since Helium atom has only two electrons. Both electrons have same principal quantum number (n=1), angular momentum quantum number (l=0), magnetic quantum number (ml=0).

According to Pauli’s exclusion principle no two electrons can have the same set of all four quantum numbers. Thus the spin quantum number (ms) of the two electrons in helium must be different.

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