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Interpretation:
The shapes of s, p, and d orbitals and their relation to the quantum numbers
n, l, and ml should be described.
Concept Introduction:
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.
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Chapter 7 Solutions
General Chemistry
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