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In Physics two or more physical states are said to be degenerate if they are both at the same Energy Level ; the energy level is said to be degenerate if it contains two or more such states. The number of occupation states available at a particular energy level is called the level's '''degeneracy'''.

In Quantum Theory , this usually pertains to Electronic Configuration s and the Electron energy levels, where different possible occupation states for particles may be related by Symmetry . The usage comes from the fact that degenerate Eigenstate s correspond to identical Eigenvalue s of the Hamiltonian . Since eigenvalues correspond to roots of the Characteristic Equation , ''degeneracy'' here has the same meaning as the common mathematical usage of the word.

If the symmetry is broken by a Perturbation , such as applying an external electric field, this can change the energies of the states, causing Energy Level Splitting .


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