Question

Write the four quantum numbers for all electrons in the l and m shells. indicate which belong to the s,p and d shells. relative to electrons and states what does each of the four quantum numbers signify

Answer 1

There are three quantum numbers that describe an orbital: the principal quantum number (n); the angular quantum number (l); the magnetic quantum number (m). The values of these quantum numbers are integers.

The principal quantum number (n) describes the size of the orbital and can never be zero. The allowed values for n are n>0, so n = 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

The angular quantum number (l) describes the shape of the orbital (s,p,d,etc.) and is an integer that falls between 0 and n-1. Therfore, if n = 4; then l = 0, 1, 2, 3.

The magnetic quantum number (m) describes the orientation in space of a particular orbital and is an integer that falls between -l and +l. Therefore, if l = 1; then m = -1, 0, +1.

Orbitals will have the same value as the principal quantum number and form a shell. Orbitals that are found within a shell are further divided into subshells that will have the same value as the angular quantum number.

s: l = 0; m = 0
p: l = 1; m = -1, 0, +1
d: l = 2; m = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2