Quantum Numbers Practice

This is our final way to describe the location of an electron. It consists of four numbers that act as coordinates to locate the
electrons position. These numbers will refer only to the elements highest energy electron because the others fall into the
same locations that have been described in the elements preceding it. Paulis Exclusion Principle states that for an element, no
two electrons can have set of quantum numbers.
1. Principle Quantum Number (n):
a. ENERGY LEVEL
b. Indicates distance from the nucleus
c. How to figure it out: The row number on the periodic table
Example: Carbon is found in the second row on the periodic table. Therefore n = 2.
d. Options available: n = 1, 2, 3, ... 7
2. Second Quantum Number ():
a. SUBLEVELS
b. Indicates the shape of the region (see graphic)
i.
Spherical s ( = 0)
ii.
Dumbbell p ( = 1)
iii.
Double dumbbell donut d ( = 2)
iv.
Fancy f ( = 3)
c. How to figure it out:
The values for tell you what sublevels are present in an energy level.
Values for range from 0 to n-1
Examples:
For the second energy level, n = 2. Therefore, the possible values of are 0 and 1, which
represent the sublevels s ( = 0) and p ( = 1).
For the third energy level, n =3. Therefore, the possible values of are 0, 1, and 2, which
represent the sublevels s ( = 0), p ( = 1), and d ( = 2).
d. Options available: The number of possible values for is equal to the value of n. For example, the second
energy level (n = 2) has two possible values of .
3. Magnetic Quantum Number (m):
a. ORBITALS
b. Indicate the orientation of the region in space
c. How to figure it out: values of m go from + to -

d. Options available:
for
for
for
for

s
p
d
f

then = 0 (AKA there is one s orbital)

then = -1, 0, 1 (AKA the three p orbitals)
then = -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 (AKA the five d orbitals)
then = -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 (AKA the seven f orbitals)

4. Spin Quantum Number (ms):

a. When two electrons are in a magnetic field, they will align opposite of one another. This is called the spin.
b. The electrons within an orbital must have opposite spins to overcome their repulsion.
c. How to figure it out:
For two paired electrons, one spins up (+) and the other spins down (-).
d. Options available:
ms can equal + or -

Quantum Numbers Practice Problems

Answer the following on notebook paper. Take them to Mrs. Cook when you are finished to check your answers.

1) Quantum numbers:
a. When n= 4, what are the possible values of ?
b. When is 2, what are the possible values of m?
c. For a 4s orbital, what are the possible values of n, , and m?
d. For a 4f orbital, what are the possible values of n, , and m?
2) Quantum numbers:
a. When n = 4, = 2, and m = -1, to what orbital type does this refer? (Give the orbital label, such as
1s.)
b. How many orbitals occur in the n = 5 energy level? How many sublevels? What are the letter labels of
the sublevels?
c. How many orbitals occur in an f sublevel? What are the values of m?
3) How many sublevels occur in the energy level with the principal quantum number n = 4?
4) Explain briefly why each of the following is not a possible set of quantum numbers for an electron in an
atom.
a. n = 2, = 2, m = 0
b. n = 3, = 0, m = -2
c. n = 6, = 0, m = 1