So were studying the configuration of electrons in an atom and one thing that popped up was Pauli's Exclusion Principle. In our class, as well as our textbook, it was stated as the fact that two electrons in an orbital cannot have the same set of quantum numbers.

For example, if we consider the 4s orbital, then the electrons will have the sets:-

1. 4, 0, 0, +1/2
2. 4, 0, 0, -1/2

My question - Is this principle an observational one? That is, it is simply a restatement of what experiments have shown, or if not, then what exactly is it? Why can't the electrons have the same set of quantum numbers?

Request - Please explain in the level of a high schooler, if possible.

Thanks in advance!

So were studying the configuration of electrons in an atom and one thing that popped up was Pauli's Exclusion Principle. In our class, as well as our textbook, it was stated as the fact that two electrons in an orbital cannot have the same set of quantum numbers.

For example, if we consider the 4s orbital, then the electrons will have the sets:-

1. 4, 0, 0, +1/2
2. 4, 0, 0, -1/2

My question - Is this principle an observational one? That is, it is simply a restatement of what experiments have shown, or if not, then what exactly is it? Why can't the electrons have the same set of quantum numbers?

Request - Please explain in the level of a high schooler, if possible.