How to Understand Quantum Numbers

n is the size and energy of the orbital, i.e.

n=1 n=2

The n=1 s orbital is smaller than the n=2 s

orbital. Also, the n=1 orbital has a lower
energy level than the n=2 orbital.
 How to Understand Quantum Numbers

l (cursive L) is the angular or azimuthal

quantum number. It simply means the
shape of the orbital. To find l, you start at
0, take n and subtract 1. So if n=3, then l
can equal 0, 1 or 2.

This is an s orbital.
The angular number, l is 0.

These are p orbitals.

Their angular number, l is 1 or 0.

These are d orbitals.

Angular number, l is 2, 1 or 0.

These are f orbitals.

Angular number, l is 3, 2, 1, or 0.
 How to Understand Quantum Numbers

m is the magnetic quantum number,

which indicates the orientation in 3D space.
It goes from -l to 0, to +l. Believe it or not,
this makes m easy to find out.
If n=1, the angular number, l is 0, so m can
only have one value, 0. So there is only
one electron configuration.

If n=2, the angular number, l is 1 and 0, so

m can have the values 0 and -1, 0 and 1.
So there are 2 electron configurations, one
s orbital and three p orbitals.

If n=3, the angular number, l is 2, 1 and 0, so m can have the values

0, -1, 0 and 1, and -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2. So there are 3 electron
configurations, one s orbital, three p orbitals and 5 d orbitals.
 How to Understand Quantum Numbers

s is the spin quantum number. Hereʼs the

simple version of the story. Scientists knew
that electrons have negative charges, and
they knew that there were 2 electrons in an
orbital. Therefore, they had to figure out
how they could be in the same orbital. So,
scientist speculate that when electrons
spin, one spins and makes a miniature
“north” magnet and the other makes a
miniature “south” magnet. Because
opposites attract, this magnetic attraction
allows the electrons to occupy the same
orbital.