electrons fill lower-energy orbitals before higher-energy orbitals one electron a single electron will occupy degenerate orbitals before pairing According to Pauli's principle, This means that each atomic orbital can hold at most Since each molecular orbital can hold apply to molecular orbitals. number of electrons, Pauli's principle

Chemistry
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Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
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Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
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### Understanding Electron Configuration Through Pauli's Principle

**According to Pauli's principle,**  
- _"no two electrons have the same four quantum numbers."_

**This means that each atomic orbital can hold at most**  
- _"two electrons."_

**Since each molecular orbital can hold**  
- _"two electrons"_ 

**number of electrons, Pauli's principle**  
- _"does"_ 

**apply to molecular orbitals.**  

### Cheat Sheet:

1. **Pauli's Exclusion Principle:**
   - No two electrons in an atom can have identical quantum numbers; thus, a maximum of two electrons can occupy a single atomic orbital, and they must have opposite spins.

2. **Electron Filling Order:**
   - Electrons fill lower-energy orbitals before filling higher-energy ones.

3. **Hund's Rule:**
   - Electrons will occupy degenerate orbitals singly before pairing up, to minimize electron-electron repulsions.

By understanding these fundamental rules, students can predict the electron configuration of atoms and molecules, which is crucial in understanding chemical bonding and reactions.
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding Electron Configuration Through Pauli's Principle **According to Pauli's principle,** - _"no two electrons have the same four quantum numbers."_ **This means that each atomic orbital can hold at most** - _"two electrons."_ **Since each molecular orbital can hold** - _"two electrons"_ **number of electrons, Pauli's principle** - _"does"_ **apply to molecular orbitals.** ### Cheat Sheet: 1. **Pauli's Exclusion Principle:** - No two electrons in an atom can have identical quantum numbers; thus, a maximum of two electrons can occupy a single atomic orbital, and they must have opposite spins. 2. **Electron Filling Order:** - Electrons fill lower-energy orbitals before filling higher-energy ones. 3. **Hund's Rule:** - Electrons will occupy degenerate orbitals singly before pairing up, to minimize electron-electron repulsions. By understanding these fundamental rules, students can predict the electron configuration of atoms and molecules, which is crucial in understanding chemical bonding and reactions.
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