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What is the second quantum number (l) of the 3p1 electron in aluminum, given the electron configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p¹?

a) l = 0
b) l = 1
c) l = 2
d) l = 3

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The second quantum number for the 3p¹ electron in aluminum is 1 which corresponds to the 'p' orbital shape.

Step-by-step explanation:

The second quantum number, also known as the azimuthal quantum number or angular momentum quantum number (l), defines the shape of an electron's orbital. In the electron configuration of aluminum, 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p¹, the 3p¹ indicates that the electron in question is in the 'p' subshell of the third energy level. The quantum number (l) for 'p' orbitals is always 1. Hence, the correct answer for the second quantum number of the 3p¹ electron in aluminum is b) l = 1

User Jeremy Skinner
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