Under what conditions does electron degeneracy occur?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Electron degeneracy occurs when electrons are forced into close proximity with one another, to the point where quantum mechanical effects become significant. This typically happens in the dense cores of white dwarf stars, where the gravitational pressure is so high that electrons are pushed into the same energy states, resisting further compression. This is a quantum mechanical effect described by the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two fermions (such as electrons) can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously.

Under What Conditions Does Electron Degeneracy Occur