Quantum Numbers

The Three Physicists

Louie de Broglie
Erwin Schrodinger
Werner Karl Heisenberg

Quantum Mechanical Model

 The Quantum Mechanical
Model
ELECTRON
CLOUDS

The probability of finding an electron in

the region around the nucleus of an
atom can be represented in many
ways.
 The Atom a.k.a The Condo
SHELLS
Energy levels

Number of sublevels in a main

energy level is the same as the
assigned main energy level.
Main Energy Level Number of Sublevels

1 (lowest energy) 1

2 2

3 3

4 4
Main Energy Level Kinds of Sublevels

1 (lowest energy) 1s

2 2s, 2p

3 3s, 3p, 3d

4 4s, 4p, 4d, 4f

5 5s, 5p, 5d, 5f, 5g

Sublevel Number of Orbitals

s 1

p 3

d 5

f 7

g 9
 Quantum Numbers
According to Heisenberg’s
Uncertainty Principle, it is not
possible to give the exact position of
an electron and its energy at the
same time.
But the probability of finding an
electron in an orbital of given energy
can be determined.
The 4 Quantum Numbers
Principal Quantum Number, n
Azimuthal Quantum Number, l
Magnetic Quantum Number, ml
Spin Quantum Number, ms
 Principal Quantum Number
main energy level of an orbital.
an increase in n also means increase
in the energy of the electron in the
orbital.
n= 1, 2, 3….
maximum no. of orbitals = n2
maximum no. of electrons = 2n2
Azimuthal Quantum Number
also called Angular Momentum
Number.
defines the shape of the orbital.
values range from 0 to n-1.
l=n-1
Azimuthal Quantum
Number
l Sublevel Orbital
Shape
0 sharp - s spherical

1 principal - p dumbbell-
shaped
2 diffused - d cloverleaf

3 fundamental - too complex

f
 Azimuthal Quantum
Number
A sublevel in a particular main
energy level is defined by its n and
its l values.
n l Kind of
Sublevel
1 0 1s

3 1 3p
Magnetic Quantum Number, ml

describes the orientation of the

orbital in space.
values are –l to +l
values per sublevel = 2l +1.
Magnetic Quantum Number, ml
Sublevel l ml

s 0 0

p 1 -1,0,+1

d 2 -2,-1,0,1,+2

f 3 -3,-2,-
1,0,+1,+2,+3
 Spin Quantum Number, ms
spin of the
electron
values are +1/2 and
-1/2
clockwise and
counterclockwise
opposite spins
(Pauli Exclusion
Principle). A – counterclockwise
B – clockwise
Sublevel and Capacity of Each Main
Energy Level
Main No. of Identity No. of Max. No.
Energy Sublevel of Orbitals of
Level Sublevels (n2) Electrons
(2n2)
1 1 1s 1 2

2 2 2s 1 2
2p 3 6
3 3 3s 1 2
3p 3 6
3d 5 10
4 4 4s 1 2
4p 3 6
4d 5 10
4f 7 14
Orbital Diagram
 Exercise No. 1
Quantum Numbers
Give all the possible quantum numbers for
electrons in the 2nd energy level.
Give all the possible quantum numbers for
electrons in:
a. 3s orbital
b. 4d orbital
Give the quantum numbers in:
a. 4f3
b. 3p5
 Exercise No. 2
Quantum Numbers
Which of the following sets of QN is
NOT possible? Write possible or
impossible and justify your answer.
a. n=2, l=1
b. ml= -2, ms= +1/2
c. n=1, ml=+1
d. l=4, ml=-3
e. n=3, ms=0
 Individual Assignment
(due Thursday, Aug. 21)
Answer Review p.91 letter C numbers 1-
5 of your textbook in ½ crosswise.

In your notebook, read

electron configuration.
Identify the 3 rules in
writing electron
configuration. Explain each.