Question

Which of the following is not a valid value for the magnetic quantum number of a 4p orbital?

a) -1
b) 0
c) 1
d) 2

Answer 1

The invalid value for the magnetic quantum number of a 4p orbital is 2, because the allowable range for 'l' being 1 is -1, 0, and +1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The value that is not a valid value for the magnetic quantum number of a 4p orbital is d) 2. The magnetic quantum number (represented by ml) can range from -l to +l, where 'l' is the azimuthal or angular momentum quantum number which defines the shape of the orbital. For a p orbital, 'l' is equal to 1, resulting in possible magnetic quantum number values of -1, 0, and +1. Therefore, a magnetic quantum number of 2 violates the rules governing quantum numbers as it is outside the allowed range for a p orbital.