Quantum Numbers

Second Semester
BSc Chemistry
St. Mary’s College, Manarcaud
 Quantum Numbers

Introduction:

Quantum numbers are essential tools in understanding the electronic structure of atoms.
They provide valuable information about the energy, spatial distribution, orientation, and spin of electrons.

Quantum numbers are a set of four values that describe specific properties of electrons within an atom.
The four quantum numbers are the
➢ principal quantum number (n),
➢ azimuthal quantum number (l),
➢ magnetic quantum number (ml), and
➢ spin quantum number (ms).
These four quantum numbers provide complete address
of an electrons in an atom
PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER
• The principal quantum number (n) defines the energy level or shell in which an
electron resides.
• It determines the average distance of an electron from the nucleus and
corresponds to the overall size of the orbital.
• Gives the idea about the main energy level to which the electron belongs
• Values: 1, 2, 3, …….. n = 7 is the highest number of shell used for the atoms
known
• Designated as K,L,M,N etc.
• larger value of the principal quantum number implies a greater distance between the
electron and the nucleus.
• The maximum number of electrons possible in a given shell is 2n2 .
AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER(l)
• The azimuthal quantum number (l) describes the shape of an orbital and determines its
subshell or sublevel.
• It takes values from 0 to (n-1).
• Each value of l is associated with a specific subshell:
• 0 for s,
• 1 for p,
• 2 for d, and
• 3 for f.
• The azimuthal quantum number provides information about the orbital's angular
momentum and helps visualize different orbital shapes.
• It denotes the sub-shell within the main energy level
• For a given Principal qn (n) It can have values from 0 to (n-1) ie.
• n=1 l = 0 - 1S orbital
• n=2 l = 0,1- 2S&2P
• n=3 l = 0,1,2- 3S,3P,3d
 l value Sub-level Corresponding
spectroscopic terms

0 s-orbital Sharp
1 p-orbital Principal
2 d-orbital Diffuse
3 f- orbital Fundamental
• The energy of the subshell increases with l (s < p < d < f).
• The number of electron in a particular subshell is equal to 2(2l+1).
• The relationship between orbital angular momentum and azimuthal
QN l is
ℎ
• Angular momentum = 𝑙(𝑙 + 1) = 𝑙(𝑙 + 1) ℏ
2π
• For s sub-shell angular momentum l = o
ℎ
• For p sub-shell angular momentum l = 2
2π
ℎ
• For d sub-shell angular momentum l = 6
2π
ℎ
• For f sub-shell angular momentum l = 12
2π
MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER (m)
• The magnetic quantum number (m) specifies the orientation of an
orbital within a given subshell.
• It takes integer values ranging from -l to +l, including zero.
• For each value of l, there are 2l+1 possible values for m.
• Understanding the magnetic quantum number helps in visualizing
the spatial arrangement of orbitals within an atom.
• Denotes the orientation of an electron cloud under the influence of a
magnetic field.
• Magnetic qn m can have values from - l to +l g with a total of 2l+
1 values
• Total number of values of m in a given value of n = n2
S orbital-l value=0, m value= 0 p orbital-l value=1 m value= -1,0,+1

d orbital-l value=2, m value= -2,-1,0,+1,+2

F orbital -l value=2, m value= -3,-2,-1,0,+1,+2,+3

Spin quantum numbers
• The spin quantum number (ms) describes the spin state of an electron.
• It can have two possible values: +1/2 or -1/2, representing the electron's
clockwise or counterclockwise spin, respectively.
• The spin quantum number is crucial for understanding electron pairing, magnetic
properties, and the Pauli exclusion principle.

Like Magnetic QN l , the spin angular quantum number has the magnitude
h
S= s(s + 1)
2π

+1 −1
Clock wise spin value- 2 Anticlockwise spin value- 2
Total number of orbitals in a main shell

Maximum number of
electrons in a Main shell
Quantum number Orbital Information Quantisation of parameters
n Energy and size of shell Energy of electron, distance from
the nucleus
l Shape of orbitals(s,p,d,f) Magnitude of orbital angular
momentum
m Orientation of orbitals in space Direction of orbital angular
(number of various types of momentum
orbitals)
s None Magnitude and direction of spin
angular momentum
Which quantum number describes the overall size of an orbital?
a) Principal quantum number (n)
b) Azimuthal quantum number (l)
c) Magnetic quantum number (ml)
d) Spin quantum number (ms)

Which quantum number determines the shape of an orbital?

a) Principal quantum number (n)
b) Azimuthal quantum number (l)
c) Magnetic quantum number (ml)
d) Spin quantum number (ms)
Which quantum number describes the orientation of an orbital within a subshell?
a) Principal quantum number (n)
b) Azimuthal quantum number (l)
c) Magnetic quantum number (ml)
d) Spin quantum number (ms)

Which quantum number describes the spin state of an electron?

a) Principal quantum number (n)
b) Azimuthal quantum number (l)
c) Magnetic quantum number (ml)
d) Spin quantum number (ms)

What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy a single orbital?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
 Aufbau Principle
• The Aufbau principle states that electrons fill atomic orbitals in order
of increasing energy.
• Here lower energy orbitals are filled before higher energy orbitals.
• Electrons occupy orbitals in a specific sequence dictated by the
increasing order of their principal quantum numbers (n) and azimuthal
quantum numbers (l).
• Energy levels are decided based on their (n+l) values. Consider 4s and
3d
• When two orbitals have same (n+l) values, the one with lower n value
is filled first.
• The Aufbau principle helps to determine the electron configurations of
atoms and their placement in different energy levels and subshells.
PAULI’S EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE
• Pauli's exclusion principle states that no two electrons within an atom can have
the same set of four quantum numbers.
• This principle emphasizes that each electron must have a unique combination of
quantum numbers, including the principal quantum number (n), azimuthal
quantum number (l), magnetic quantum number (ml), and spin quantum
number (ms).
• As a result, only two electrons can occupy a single atomic orbital, and they must
have opposite spins (ms values of +1/2 and -1/2).
• Pauli's exclusion principle ensures the stability of electron configurations and
determines the nature of chemical bonding and electron interactions.
• On the basis of Pauli’s E P, it can be stated that maximum number of electrons
that can be accommodated in an orbital is two
 HUND’S RULE
• Hund's rule states that when multiple degenerate orbitals are
available at the same energy level, electrons fill these orbitals singly,
with parallel spins, before pairing up.
This rule highlights the preference of electrons to occupy different orbitals
within the same subshell, maximizing the total electron spin and promoting
electron-electron repulsion.

By occupying different orbitals, electrons spread out and experience less

electron-electron repulsion, resulting in lower energy configurations.

Hund's rule helps explain the stability and magnetic properties of atoms and
ions.