Degenerate Fermi Gas

A degenerate Fermi gas is a collection of particles called fermions that follow the Pauli exclusion principle, meaning no two particles can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. At very low temperatures, these particles fill up available energy levels from lowest to highest, creating a state called degeneracy. This leads to unique properties, such as extremely high pressure that doesn’t depend on temperature, which is why objects like white dwarf stars are supported against gravity without requiring heat. In essence, a degenerate Fermi gas exhibits behavior dominated by quantum rules, shaping the stability and characteristics of dense astrophysical objects.