The
statistics employed by quantum mechanics come in two varieties, both strikingly
non-classical. (Technically the following results are part of relativistic
quantum mechanics.) Particles such as protons and electrons obey Fermi-Dirac
statistics and thus the Pauli exclusion principle. These lead to the
impenetrability of matter and its space-filling character, as well as such
chemical properties as valency and color.
Particles such as photons and gravitons obey Bose-Einstein statistics
and carry the fundamental forces in nature, such as electromagnetism and
gravity. See the discussion in
Russell, "Quantum Physics."
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