Question

What does the angular momentum quantum number determine?

Answer 1

The angular momentum quantum number, ℓ, is the quantum number associated with the angular momentum of an atomic electron. The angular momentum quantum number determines the shape of the electron's orbital.

Answer 2

The shape of an orbital

Step-by-step explanation:

The orbital angular momentum quantum number l defines the shape of an orbital.

l = 0: s orbital — spherical

l = 1: p orbital — two lobes, pointing along a Cartesian axis

l = 2: d orbital — four lobes, pointing toward the corners of a square

l = 3: f orbital — eight lobes, pointing toward the corners of a cube