QUIZ- “So You Think You Understand Quantum Numbers?

”
Given the Quantum Numbers for the LAST electron of an atom, tell which
Element it is-

n l m s

1) 3 1 -1 +½

2) 3 1 -1 -½

3) 3 1 +1 +½

4) 4 1 +1 -½

5) 4 0 0 -½

GO TO Page 6 for Answers; a Review Tutorial Follows

Review of Quantum Number Values:
n = Principal Quantum Number and it corresponds to the Energy Level where
the electron is found; Other characteristics of the Energy Level that can be
known from the value of n:

n tells you the number of kinds of orbitals associated with that energy level;
so, the 1 st energy level will have only 1 type of subenergy level or orbital;
the 2nd energy level will have two types; up to the 7th energy level
theoretically having seven types

2n2 tells you the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the
designated energy level; so, the 1 st energy level can be occupied by only 2
electrons (2x1 2); the 2nd energy level can be occupied by a maximum of 8 e-
(2x2 2 = 8)

l = Azimuthal Quantum Number, sometimes called the orbital quantum number,

and it identifies the Subenergy Level and the Shape or Type of the Orbital (see
note at the end of this section); l = 0…n-1 ( that is, all values starting with zero up
to and including n-1, where n = the principal quantum number); What the
numbers represent:

l = 0 represents an s type orbital, usually written simply as “s-orbital”,

which is spherical in shape

l = 1 represents a p type orbital, usually simply written as “ p-orbital”,

which are dumb-bell shaped

l = 2 represents a d type orbital, simplified as “d-orbital”, which have a

combination of lobes and ringed shapes sometimes referred to as rosette
shaped

l = 3 represents an f type orbital, usually written “f-orbital”, which has

complex shapes; most introductory chem textbooks do not include a
diagram of these orbitals

We stop here with the l values because we can account for the atomic
structure of all known and man-made elements with room to go to 118

NOTE: Orbital by definition is the space that each pair of electrons

occupies (see the spin quantum number, below)
m = Magnetic Quantum Number and it defines the orientation of the orbital
in space; m = -l…0...+l, that is, the values for m start with –l continue
numerically to zero and then proceeds numerically to +l.
For example if “l=2” then the values for m are -2, -1, 0, +1, +2.

NOTE: the “+” sign is part of the designation and can not be omitted

Electron distribution (a later discussion) will start with the most

negative value and proceed to the most positive integer.

The m quantum number can be thought of as a further definition of the

orbital type and must be taken in conjunction with it. Therefore,

when l = 0, m can only equal 0 meaning that there is only one

orientation of this orbital, remember it was called an “s-
orbital” back in our discussion of the ´quantum number

when l = 1, m will be a -1, 0, +1; meaning that there are three p-

type orbitals. Their orientation is space will be as follows:

“-1” corresponds to the “px orbital” meaning the specific

p-type orbital lies on the x-axis.

“0” corresponds to the “py orbital” on the y-axis

“+1” corresponds to the “pz orbital” on the z-axis

when l = 2, m will be a -2, -1, 0, +1, +2; meaning there are 5 d-

type orbitals. For our level of study, we will simply designate
them as “d1” representing “-2” value; “d2” the -1 value, etc.

when l = 3, m will be a -3, -2. -1, 0, +1,+2,+3; meaning there are

7 f-type orbitals. As with the d orbitals we will simply use the
“f1”, “f2”, “f3”, “f4”, “f5” designation scheme

As stated before, we can account for the atomic structure of all

known elements and man-man elements with l = 3.

An interesting observation is that as the l value increasing, the

number of orbitals per type increases by the next odd number.
Therefore, when l = 0, there is only single “s orbital”
represented; l = 1, there are 3 “p orbitals”; l = 2, there are 5
orbitals represented; l = 3, 7 “f orbitals” represented.
 s = Spin Quantum Number, also symbolized by “m s” is defined as the angular
momentum of an electron, referring to the direction if their spin. Electrons are
found with only two spin directions and these are opposite of one another. These
are designated clockwise and counterclockwise using the designations “+½” and
“-½”.

Hund’s Rule states that every orbital in a subenergy level is singly occupied
with 1 electron before any one orbital is doubly occupied. Translation using
an example- we put one electron in each of the “p orbitals” before pairing
the electrons up.

The first electron into an orbital of a particular type in a specific subenergy

level will have the “+½” spin designation and when a second electron is
added to that particular orbital its spin will be designated “-½”.

Expanding the earlier example, the three p-orbitals in the second subenergy
level are the 2px, 2py, and 2pz . (notice- we have combined the first three
quantum numbers into a specific set of orbitals).
The first electron into the 2px will have a “+½” spin. (its quantum
number will be n =2, l= 1, m = -1, and s = +½).
The next electron will go into the 2py (quantum number: n=2, l = 1, m
= 0, s = +½). The 2nd electron went into the 2py instead of the 2px
because electrons do not pair up until there is one electron in each
orbital.
The next electron will go into the 2pz and have a “+½” spin. (quantum
number 2 1 +1 +½)
The fourth electron into the 2p orbitals will go into the 2px since each
of the 2p orbitals has an electron in it. Its quantum number will be 2
1 -1 -½. Why the -½? There are now two electrons in the 2px orbital!

It takes a little thought but the scheme is very logical and makes sense once
understood.

Electron configuration notation combines in essence what the first two quantum
numbers represent- the energy level and the type of subenergy level, the type of
orbital. For example, we have the 1s, the 2s, the 2p etc. We also can designate the
number of electrons in them. If the 1s orbital is full, we know there are two
electrons of opposite spin in it and our designation is 1s 2. Notice we do not
differentiate the spin direction with electron configuration notation. So when there
are 5 electrons in the 2p orbitals we simply write 2p5.
If we desire to show the orientation of the orbitals we could proceed as follows:
1s
2px, 2py, 2pz
3d1, 3d2, 3d3, 3d4, 3d5 (using our simplified method)

We can further show how many electrons are in a specific orbital by using a
superscript, such as 1s 1 when there is only 1 electron in the 1s orbital; 1s2 for 2
electrons in that orbital. Another example, 3d11 indicates there is a single electron
in the 3d1 orbital. By the way, what is its spin quantum number? Answer- +½.
Other hand, 3d12 tells us there are two electrons in the 3d1 orbital. The addition of
a second electron to the 3d1 orbital would not have happened until there was one
electron in each of the other 3d orbitals. Give it some thought!

Correlation of Quantum Numbers, Electron Configuration & Period

Table:

Column 1 of the Period table represents the last electron going into the “s orbital”
and it would be the first electron in that orbital. Hence, “__s 1” would be the
designation where the “__” is the energy level(the Period Number on the Periodic
Table) and the superscript “1” says the spin is “+½”

Column 2 is “__s 2” or if we would simplify, “s2”.

Column 3 is “d11”

Column 4 is “d21”

Column 5 is “d31”

Column 6 is “d41”

Column 7 is “d51”

Column 8 is “d12”

Column 9 is “d22”

Column 10 is “d32”

Column 11 is “d42”

Column 12 is “d52”
Column 13 is “px1”

Column 14 is “py1”

Column 15 is “pz 1”

Column 16 is “px2”

Column 17 is “py2”

Column 18 is “pz 2”

Remember where ever there is a superscript 2, there are 2 electrons present and
the second has an opposite spin from the first. Also, its “s” quantum number
value is “-½”

Now for the Answers to Our 5 Questions:

1) last electron is 3px1 and therefore Aluminum (Al)

2) 3px2 and would be in Column 16 and the element is in the third energy level
giving us Sulfur (S)

3) 3pz 1 is Phosphorus (P)

4) 4pz 2 is Krypton (Kr)

5) 4s 2 is Calcium (Ca)

Hope you got the correct answers and without guessing!