QUANTUM NUMBERS: an electron’s numerical address
|
Type of quantum number |
abbreviation |
Specifies what? |
|
principal |
n |
energy level |
|
azimuthal |
l |
sublevel |
|
magnetic |
m |
orbital |
|
spin |
s |
spin |
n = numbers 1-7 (ex: n=2)
|
Sublevel specified |
Corresponding "l" value |
|
s |
0 |
|
p |
1 |
|
d |
2 |
|
f |
3 |
m = orbital
|
l Value (sublevel) |
m Value (orbital) |
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|
l=0 (s) |
0 |
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|
l=1 (p) |
-1 |
0 |
+1 |
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|
l=2 (d) |
-2 |
-1 |
0 |
+1 |
+2 |
||||||||
|
l=3 (f) |
-3 |
-2 |
-1 |
0 |
+1 |
+2 |
+3 |
||||||
s=spin +1/2 ; -1/2
Give the quantum numbers for the single valence electron in a potassium atom
configuration: [Ar]4s1
Quantum numbers: 4, 0, 0, -1/2
Give the quantum numbers for the highest energy electron in Sc (Z = 21)