
Interpretation:
The four quantum numbers which is applied to characterize an electron in an atom should be described.
Concept Introduction:
The electron density gives the probability of finding an electron in a particular region in an atom. An atomic orbital is the region of three-dimensional space, defined by ψ2 (the square of the wave function, ψ), where the probability of finding an electron is high. An atomic orbital can accommodate a maximum of two electrons.
A wave function for an electron in an atom is called an atomic orbital; this atomic orbital describes a region of space in which there is a high probability of finding the electron. Energy changes within an atom are the result of an electron changing from a wave pattern with one energy to a wave pattern with a different energy (usually accompanied by the absorption or emission of a photon of light).
Each electron in an atom is described by four different quantum numbers. The first three (n, l, ml) specify the particular orbital of interest, and the fourth (ms) specifies how many electrons can occupy that orbital.
Principal Quantum Number (n)
The principal quantum number (n) assigns the size of the orbital and specifies the energy of an electron. If the value of n is larger, then the average distance of an electron in the orbital from the nucleus will be greater. Therefore the size of the orbital is large. The principal quantum numbers have the integral values of 1, 2, 3 and so forth and it corresponds to the quantum number in
The angular momentum quantum number (l) explains the shape of the atomic orbital. The values of l are integers which depend on the value of the principal quantum number, n. For a given value of n, the possible values of l range are from 0 to n − 1. If n = 1, there is only one possible value of l (l=0). If n = 2, there are two values of l: 0 and 1. If n = 3, there are three values of l: 0, 1, and 2. The value of l is selected by the letters s, p, d, and f. If l = 0, we have an s orbital; if l = 1, we have a p orbital; if l = 2, we have a d orbital and finally if l = 3, we have a f orbital. A collection of orbitals with the same value of n is called a shell. One or more orbitals with the same n and l values are referred to a subshell (sublevel). The value of l also has a slight effect on the energy of the subshell; the energy of the subshell increases with l (s < p < d < f).
Magnetic Quantum Number (ml)
The magnetic quantum number (ml ) explains the orientation of the orbital in space. The value of ml depends on the value of l in a subshell. This number divides the subshell into individual orbitals which hold the electrons. For a certain value of l, there are (2l + 1) integral values of ml which is explained as follows:
ml = ‒ l, ..., 0, ..., +l
If l = 0, there is only one possible value of ml: 0.
If l = 1, then there are three values of ml: −1, 0, and +1.
If l = 2, there are five values of ml, namely, −2, −1, 0, +1, and +2.
If l = 3, there are seven values of ml, namely, −3, −2, −1, 0, +1, +2, and +3, and so on.
The number of ml values indicates the number of orbitals in a subshell with a particular l value. Therefore, each ml value refers to a different orbital.
Electron Spin Quantum Number (ms)
It specifies the orientation of the spin axis of an electron. An electron can spin in only one of two directions. There are two possible ways to represent ms values. They are +½ and ‒½. One electron spins in the clockwise direction. Another electron spins in the anticlockwise direction. But, no two electrons should have the same spin quantum number.

Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solution
Chapter 3 Solutions
EBK CHEMISTRY: ATOMS FIRST
- 1) Draw the correct chemical structure (using line-angle drawings / "line structures") from their given IUPAC name: a. hept-3-yne b. 5-bromo-1-fluoro-4-methylpent-2-ynearrow_forward15. How many absorptions are expected in the H-NMR spectra of fee songs? Explain your were a) CH,CH,CCH,CH, O CHUCH CHCHarrow_forwardFirefly luciferin exhibits three rings. Identify which of the rings are aromatic. Identify which lone pairs are involved in establishing aromaticity. The lone pairs are labeled A-D below.arrow_forward
- What is the [OH⁻] of a 1.80 M solution of pyridine (C₅H₅N, Kb = 1.70 × 10⁻⁹)?arrow_forwardWhat is the percent ionization in a 0.260 M solution of formic acid (HCOOH) (Ka = 1.78 × 10⁻⁴)?arrow_forwardDetermine the pH of solution of HC3H5O2 By constructing an ICE table writing the equilibrium constant expression, and using this information to determine the pH. The Ka of HC3H5O2 is 1.3 x 10-5arrow_forward
- Determine if the following salt is neutral, acidic or basic. If acidic or basic, write the appropriate equilibrium equation for the acid or base that exists when the salt is dissolved in aqueous solution. If neutral, simply write only NR. Be sure to include the proper phases for all species within the reaction LiNO3arrow_forwardAn unknown weak acid with a concentration of 0.410 M has a pH of 5.600. What is the Ka of the weak acid?arrow_forward(racemic) 19.84 Using your reaction roadmaps as a guide, show how to convert 2-oxepanone and ethanol into 1-cyclopentenecarbaldehyde. You must use 2-oxepanone as the source of all carbon atoms in the target molecule. Show all reagents and all molecules synthesized along the way. & + EtOH H 2-Oxepanone 1-Cyclopentenecarbaldehydearrow_forward
- R₂ R₁ R₁ a R Rg Nu R₂ Rg R₁ R R₁₂ R3 R R Nu enolate forming R₁ R B-Alkylated carbonyl species or amines Cyclic B-Ketoester R₁₁ HOB R R₁B R R₁₂ B-Hydroxy carbonyl R diester R2 R3 R₁ RB OR R₂ 0 aB-Unsaturated carbonyl NaOR Aldol HOR reaction 1) LDA 2) R-X 3) H₂O/H₂O ketone, aldehyde 1) 2°-amine 2) acid chloride 3) H₂O'/H₂O 0 O R₁ R₁ R R₁ R₁₂ Alkylated a-carbon R₁ H.C R₁ H.C Alkylated methyl ketone acetoacetic ester B-Ketoester ester R₁ HO R₂ R B-Dicarbonyl HO Alkylated carboxylic acid malonic ester Write the reagents required to bring about each reaction next to the arrows shown. Next, record any regiochemistry or stereochemistry considerations relevant to the reaction. You should also record any key aspects of the mechanism, such as forma- tion of an important intermediate, as a helpful reminder. You may want to keep track of all reactions that make carbon-carbon bonds, because these help you build large molecules from smaller fragments. This especially applies to the reactions in…arrow_forwardProvide the reasonable steps to achieve the following synthesis.arrow_forwardIdentify which compound is more acidic. Justify your choice.arrow_forward
- Chemistry: Principles and ReactionsChemistryISBN:9781305079373Author:William L. Masterton, Cecile N. HurleyPublisher:Cengage LearningChemistry: Matter and ChangeChemistryISBN:9780078746376Author:Dinah Zike, Laurel Dingrando, Nicholas Hainen, Cheryl WistromPublisher:Glencoe/McGraw-Hill School Pub CoIntroductory Chemistry: An Active Learning Approa...ChemistryISBN:9781305079250Author:Mark S. Cracolice, Ed PetersPublisher:Cengage Learning
- General Chemistry - Standalone book (MindTap Cour...ChemistryISBN:9781305580343Author:Steven D. Gammon, Ebbing, Darrell Ebbing, Steven D., Darrell; Gammon, Darrell Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon, Darrell D.; Gammon, Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon; DarrellPublisher:Cengage LearningChemistry for Engineering StudentsChemistryISBN:9781337398909Author:Lawrence S. Brown, Tom HolmePublisher:Cengage Learning




