Atomic state labels and Pauli occupancy
Quantum labels specify orbitals and spin states.
Key knowledge
Hydrogenic bound states use n ≥ 1, l = 0,…,n−1, m_l = −l,…,l and electron m_s = ±½. Pauli exclusion permits at most one electron per spin-orbital, hence two opposite-spin electrons per spatial orbital.
Conditions and scope
- Integer n,l,m_l labels describe the Coulomb/central-field orbital model; multielectron orbital assignments are approximations.
- A spatial orbital is a wavefunction, not a classical trajectory; chemical filling order is a separate entry.
Sources · 3
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny and William Moebs / OpenStax, Rice University3 sources
- University Physics 3: The Hydrogen AtomSamuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny and William Moebs / OpenStax, Rice UniversityTextbook chapter
- University Physics 3: Electron SpinSamuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny and William Moebs / OpenStax, Rice UniversityTextbook chapter
- University Physics 3: The Exclusion Principle and the Periodic TableSamuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny and William Moebs / OpenStax, Rice UniversityTextbook chapter
Evidence and review
Sections 8.1, 8.3 and 8.4: orbital ranges, spin projection and four-label exclusion.
2026-10-10 · One-particle orbital labels and electron occupancy only; exact multielectron spectra and filling exceptions excluded.
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- physics-atomic-quantum-states
- Revision
- university-reference.1
- Structured reference record
- University reference · University core expansion