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Understanding Quantum Numbers

Quantum numbers determine the location and arrangement of electrons in an atom by describing the different atomic orbitals. There are four main quantum numbers: (1) the principal quantum number n refers to the electron's energy level and has positive integer values; (2) the angular momentum quantum number l refers to the shape of the orbitals and depends on n; (3) the magnetic quantum number ml describes the spatial orientation of the electron's orbital; and (4) the spin quantum number ms specifies the electron's direction of spin as it moves in its orbital, with values of +1/2 or -1/2.

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Joselyn Villena Marquez
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15 views1 page

Understanding Quantum Numbers

Quantum numbers determine the location and arrangement of electrons in an atom by describing the different atomic orbitals. There are four main quantum numbers: (1) the principal quantum number n refers to the electron's energy level and has positive integer values; (2) the angular momentum quantum number l refers to the shape of the orbitals and depends on n; (3) the magnetic quantum number ml describes the spatial orientation of the electron's orbital; and (4) the spin quantum number ms specifies the electron's direction of spin as it moves in its orbital, with values of +1/2 or -1/2.

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Joselyn Villena Marquez
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© All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Quantum Numbers determine the location and Quantum Numbers determine the location and

arrangement of electrons in an atom. It also describes arrangement of electrons in an atom. It also describes
the different atomic orbitals. the different atomic orbitals.

1. Principal quantum number (n) 1. Principal quantum number (n)

 refer to the energy level of an electron  refer to the energy level of an electron
 denoted with symbol (n)  denoted with symbol (n)
 has a value of any positive integer  has a value of any positive integer

2. Angular momentum (l) 2. Angular momentum (l)

 refers to the shape of the orbitals  refers to the shape of the orbitals
 the value of this quantum number can be  the value of this quantum number can be
determine using the formula n-1 determine using the formula n-1
 but when it comes to the energy level in an  but when it comes to the energy level in an
electron configuration, we are going to base it electron configuration, we are going to base it
on the highest energy level resulted from on the highest energy level resulted from
electron configuration. electron configuration.

3. Magnetic quantum number (ml) 3. Magnetic quantum number (ml)

 describes the spatial orientation or specific  describes the spatial orientation or specific
orbital of an electron. orbital of an electron.
 Its value depends on the angular momentum  Its value depends on the angular momentum
value where it can be from the range of a value where it can be from the range of a
negative integer, zero to a positive integer. negative integer, zero to a positive integer.

4. Spin quantum number (ms) 4. Spin quantum number (ms)

 it specifies the way the electron spins or  it specifies the way the electron spins or
rotates, either clockwise (line ray up) or rotates, either clockwise (line ray up) or
counterclockwise (line ray down), on its axis as counterclockwise (line ray down), on its axis as
it moves within the orbital. it moves within the orbital.
 its values can be +1/2 or -1/2 and no other  its values can be +1/2 or -1/2 and no other
values are acceptable. values are acceptable.

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