Quantum Numbers
Orbitals of electrons in atoms differ in size sha
and orientation. Definite energies and angular
movements characterize atomic orbitals.
The state of an electron in any atom is defined
certain permissible values of energy and angul
momentum, which describe its location with
respect to its nucleus and its energy level.
These permissible states are called orbitals and
expressed by a set of four numbers 'n', 'l', 'm' an
's' called quantum numbers.
Quantum Numbers
These numbers serve as the signature of t
electrons, uniquely describing its positio
the atom.
The 'n', 'l' and 'm' indicate the spatial
distribution while 's' indicates the spin
orientation of the electrons.
Principle quantum number (n)
It was proposed by Bohr and denoted by n.
It determines the average distance between ele
and nucleus, means it denotes the size of atom
It determine the energy of the electron in an or
where electron is present.
Principle quantum number (n
The maximum number of an electron in an orb
represented by this quantum number as 2n2. No
energy shells in atoms of known elements posse
more limit 32 electrons.
It gives the information of orbit K, L, M, N
Angular momentum can also be calculated usin
principle quantum number.
Principle quantum number (n
This quantum number determines the main en
shell or energy level in which the electron is pre
It is denoted by the letter 'n' that can take whole
shell with n = 1 is called first shell or 'K' shell. Th
shell with n = 2 is the 'L' shell and so on.
Azimuthal quantum number(
Azimuthal quantum number is also known as an
quantum number. Proposed by Sommerfield and
It determines the number of sub shells or suble
to which the electron belongs.
It tells about the shape of subshells.
It also expresses the energies of subshells s <p <d
(increasing energy).
Azimuthal quantum number(
The different sub shells are represented by first wr
the value of 'n' and then the letter designated for
value of 'l'. To illustrate,
n = 1 l = 0 one sub shell 1s n = 2 l = 0,1 two sub she
2s, 2p
n = 3 l = 0,1,2 three sub shells 3s, 3p, 3d n =4 l =
0,1,2,3 four sub shells 4s, 4p, 4d, 4f
Thus for each value of 'n' there are 'n' values of 'l'.
value of azimuthal quantum number gives the sha
of the sub shell or orbital. So it is also called as orb
quantum number.
Azimuthal quantum number(
The value of n-1) always. Where n is the nu
of principle shell.
It represent the orbital angular momentum. W
The maximum number of electrons in subshell
s subshell -> 2 electrons d subshell -> 1
electrons
p subshell -> 6 electrons f subshell -> 14
electrons.
Magnetic quantum number (m)
It was proposed by Zeeman and denoted by
It gives the number of permitted orientation of
subshells.
The value of m varies from -
It tells about the splitting of spectral lines in the
magnetic field i.e. this quantum number proves th
Zeeman effect.
Magnetic quantum number (m
For a given value of the total value of is equ
to n2.
For a given value of is equ
Degenerate orbitals : Orbitals having the same
energy are known as degenerate orbitals. e.g. for
subshell Px Py Pz
The number of degenerate orbitals of s subshell =
Spin quantum numbers (s)
It was proposed by Goldshmidt & Ulen Back and
denoted by the symbol of s.
The value of s is + 1/2 and -1/2, which signifies th
movement.
The spin may be clockwise or anticlockwise.
It represents the value of spin angular momentum
equal to
Spin quantum numbers (s)
Maximum spin of an atom = 1/2 x number of
unpaired electron.
This quantum number is not the result of solution
schrodinger equation as solved for H-atom.