Single Idea 17414

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / F. Chemistry / 3. Periodic Table]

Full Idea

Pauli explained the maximum number of electrons successive shells can accommodate, ...but it does not explain the lengths of the periods, which is the really crucial property of the periodic table.

Gist of Idea

Pauli explained the electron shells, but not the lengths of the periods in the table

Source

Eric R. Scerri (The Periodic Table [2007], 07 'Pauli')

Book Reference

Scerri,Eric R.: 'The Periodic Table' [OUP 2007], p.203


A Reaction

Paulis' Exclusion Principle says no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers. He added 'spin' as a fourth number. It means 'electrons cannot be distinguished' (243). Scerri says the big problem is still not fully explained.