GC1 - Q2 - Week 1

WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS
General Chemistry 1, Quarter 2, Week 1
THE QUANTUM MECHANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ATOM

AND ITS ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
Name: ___________________________________________ Section: ____________________
Learning Objectives:
 Most Essential Learning Competencies:

- Use quantum numbers to describe an electron in an atom
(STEM_GC11ESIIa-b-54)
- Determine the magnetic property of the atom based on its electronic configuration
- Draw an orbital diagram to represent the electron configuration of atoms
 Specific Objectives:
1. Describe electrons using quantum numbers
2. Draw orbital diagrams to represent the electron configuration of atoms
3. Determine whether an atom is paramagnetic or diamagnetic based on its electron
configuration
4. Create models depicting the shape of the s, p, and d orbitals
5. Cite practical applications of quantum numbers/orbital diagrams/magnetic
property in real life
Time Allotment: 4 hours
Key Concepts
A. Quantum Numbers:
 Determine the home address of your friends or relatives using the format of house number,
street, purok name, barangay, municipality and zip code. How many of your
friends/relatives live on the same street? How many have the same house number?
Just as there are no two houses that have the same address (they could have the same
purok but they are of different house number/street), no two electrons in an atom have the
same set of four quantum numbers. Quantum numbers tell where an electron is located
around the nucleus of an atom. It is kind of like the address of electrons.
 There are four quantum numbers, three of which, the principal quantum number (n), the
angular momentum quantum number (ℓ), and the magnetic quantum number (ml)
describe the atomic orbitals that is a region of space where you can most probably find the
electron. A fourth quantum number, the spin quantum number (ms) completes the
description (spin orientation) of the electrons in the atoms.
 The Principal Quantum Number (n)
a. Determines the energy of an orbital; describes the
energy level an electron is placed in
b. Determines the orbital size
c. Is associated with the average distance of the electron
from the nucleus in a particular orbital; the larger the
value of n, the farther the average distance of the
electron from the nucleus
d. n can have the values 1, 2, 3, …
Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

School/Station: Tagbina National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: ryanpaul.vales@deped.gov.ph
e. Orbitals with the same principal quantum number (n) are said to be in the same
shell.
 The Angular Momentum Quantum Number (ℓ)
a. Describes the “shape” of the orbitals
b. ℓ can have the values 0, 1, 2, up to n-1.
So if the principal quantum number (n) is 2, ℓ could be 0 and 1. Why 1? study the
calculation below:
ℓ=n-1
ℓ=2-1
ℓ=1
c. Orbitals that have the same n and ℓ values belong to the same subshell.
d. It is usually designated by letters s, p, d, f, … which have a historical origin from

spectral lines. The s, p, d, f designations of the orbitals refer to sharp, principal,
diffuse, and fundamental lines in emission spectra.
 The Magnetic Quantum Number (ml)
a. Describes the orientation of the orbital in space
b. Describes the number of orbitals within a subshell
c. ml can have the values -ℓ up to +ℓ:
- ℓ, (-ℓ + 1), … 0, … (+ ℓ -1), + ℓ
The following table summarizes the relationship of n, ℓ, and ml:

 The Electron Spin Quantum Number (ms)
a. The first three quantum numbers (n, ℓ, ml) describe the energy, shape and
orientation of the orbitals. The 4th quantum number (ms) refers to two different spin
orientations of electrons in an orbital.
b. In 1925, Uhlenbeck, Goudsmit, and Kronig introduced the idea of the self-rotation
of the electron. The spin orientations are assigned the number ms = ½, ms = -½
which are called “spin-up” and “spin-down”, respectively.
c. The electrons are paired such that one spins upward and one downward. This
neutralizes the effect of their spin on the action of the atom as a whole. But in the
valence shell of atoms where there is a single electron whose spin remains
unbalanced, the unbalanced spin creates spin magnetic moment, making the
electron act like a very small magnet.
 The Representations of the Shapes of Atomic Orbitals
a. Strictly speaking, an orbital does not have a definite shape, but the electron’s probability
of being in a certain place has a shape.
While electron can be found anywhere
around the nucleus, there are regions
where there is much higher probability
of finding it. For s orbital, the probability
distribution is spherical as shown in
figure a. All the s orbitals are spherical
in shape but they differ in size, which
increases as the value of the principal quantum number (n) increases.
b. There are three 2p orbitals: 2px, 2py, 2pz indicating the axes along which they are
oriented. The electron probability density of p orbitals is not spherically symmetric; it
has a double teardrop shape or a dumbbell shape (as described in some books). The
electron can most probably be found
within the two lobes of the dumbbell
region; there is a zero probability of
finding it along the nodal planes found
in the axes. All three 2p orbitals are
identical in shape and energy but differ
in orientation as shown in figure (b).
The p orbitals of higher principal
quantum numbers have similar shapes.
c. Figure c shows that d orbitals occur for
the first time when n = 3; d orbitals have
five orientations. Four of the d orbitals
have identical basic shapes except for
their orientation with respect to the
axes. The wave functions exhibit
positive and negative lobes along the
axes; there is a zero probability of
finding the electron at the origin. The
fifth wave function, dz2, has a similar
shape with that of the p-orbital with a
donut-shape region along the x-axis.
Image Source:
(a-c) Wyona C Patalinghug et al., Teaching Guide for Senior High School General Chemistry 1 (Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines: Commission on Higher Education, 2016), 171-172.
 The four quantum numbers compose the numbers that describe where an electron is
located around the nucleus of an atom. It is kind of like the electron's address. The
quantum numbers shall be in the order: energy level (n), sub-level or orbital type (ℓ), the

orientation of the orbital specified in (mℓ), and the orientation of the spin of the electron
(ms). It is written in the order (n, ℓ, mℓ, ms).
 Example 1: What is the allowed set of quantum numbers for an electron that is
found in the first energy level?
a. The energy level, n = 1.
b. The orbital type is only s, thus, ℓ = 0
c. From ℓ, the orbital type is s. An s orbital has only one orientation, designated as
0, so, mℓ = 0
d. In the 1s orbital, an electron can have an up-spin or a down-spin. Therefore, ms
could be 1/2 or -1/2.
The allowed set of quantum numbers for 1s electron are (1,0,0,1/2) and (1,0,0,-
1/2).
How does (1,0,0,1/2) differ from (1,0,0,-1/2)? The first set corresponds to the
electron with spin up and the second set refers to the electron with spin down.
 Example 2: Given the following information for the three electrons:
Quantum Number Electron A Electron B Electron C
n 4 5 4
ℓ 2 0 2
mℓ -2 0 +1
ms 1/2 1/2 -1/2
Describe the electrons based on quantum numbers.
Answer: Electron A first electron in the 4d orbital (4d1)
Electron B first electron in the 5s orbital (5s1)
Electron C ninth electron in the 4d orbital (4d9)
 Electron Configuration
The distribution of electrons among the orbitals of an atom is known as electron
configuration. The order in which the electrons are filled in can be read from the periodic table of
elements in the following manner:
Image source: Kevin Boudreaux, “Quantum Numbers, Atomic Orbitals, and Electron Configurations,”
2020, https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/index.htm.

- You can refer to the periodic table presented above to assign electron configurations for
each element. To write the electron configurations, indicate the orbitals that are occupied
by electrons, then write a superscript that indicates how many electrons are in the set of
orbitals. For instance, write the electron configuration of lithium:
Lithium has an atomic number of 3. The atom’s atomic number is the number of protons
of the atom; thus, it is also the number of electrons in an atom with 0 charge. So for lithium,
it has 3 electrons in its ground state. The 1st and 2nd electrons are in 1s orbital and the 3rd
electron is in 2s orbital, so its electron configuration is 1s 22s1.
- Condensed electron configuration can be used to shorten the process of writing a long
electron configuration. To do this, write the symbol of the nearest noble gas with fewer
electrons than your atom in brackets, after which, continue with the electron configuration
for the orbital sets. For instance, the electron configuration of lithium which is 1s 22s1 can
also be written as [He]2s1. Helium is the nearest noble gas with fewer electrons than lithium.
- Caution: the d and f orbital regions in the periodic table correspond to energy levels that
are different from the period they're located in. Notice that the first row of the d orbital block
corresponds to the 3d orbital even if it is in period 4, while the first row of the f orbital
corresponds to the 4f orbital even if it is in period 6.
B. Orbital Diagrams:
 Writing the quantum numbers of electrons in set notation like (3,1,-1,-1⁄2) is time
consuming and difficult to compare so an abbreviated form was developed. With electron
configuration, the first two quantum numbers, n and ℓ, are listed; it also shows how many
electrons exist in each orbital. Many times it is needed to see all the quantum numbers in
an electron configuration, this is the purpose of the orbital diagram. Orbital diagrams
pictorially describe the electrons in an atom. In addition to listing the principal quantum
number, n, and the subshell, ℓ, (which can also be seen in the electron configuration) the
orbital diagram shows all the different orientations and the spin of every electron. Orbital
diagrams illustrate the number of subshells using lines or boxes for electrons (one box/line
for s-orbital, three for p-orbitals, five for d-orbitals, and 7 for f-orbitals). In each box,
electron spin is noted by using arrows; up arrows indicate 1⁄2 spin and down arrows mean
–1⁄2 spin.
 Rules for Filling Orbitals:

a. Aufbau Principle states that the lowest energy orbital is filled first. Electrons usually
fill the lowest energy level and the simplest orbital shape first before the higher energy
orbitals are filled. The order of filling based on the Aufbau Principle is presented in
the following diagram.

Figure f. The order of orbital filling based on the Aufbau Principle
- Based on figure f, examine why the first orbital diagram below violates Aufbau
Principle.
- The Aufbau Principle is not a universal rule; not all atoms obey it. Around ten
transition metals violate the Aufbau Principle (Cr, Cu, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Pt,
and Au). In each element, the d orbital had an extra electron from the s orbital,
except in Pd where two electrons are consumed by the d orbital. In lanthanides
and actinides, ten elements go against the Aufbau Principle (La, Ce, Gd, Ac, Th,
Pa, U, Np, Cm, and Lr). In the said elements, the d orbital takes an electron from
the f orbital; Th and Lr are special cases. In Th, 6d takes both electrons from 5f
while in Lr 6d is replaced by 7p.
b. Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the
same four quantum numbers. This is why each orbital only has two electrons, one
with up-spin (1⁄2) and one with down-spin (–1⁄2).
c. Hund’s Rule states that same-energy orbitals, those which differ only in their
orientation, are filled with electrons that have the same spin before the second
electron is added to any of the orbitals.

Example:
What element has the following quantum numbers for their last electron (in the
subshell with highest energy level):
(a) 3,1,1,1/2; (2) 1,0,0,-1/2?
Illustrate the orbital diagram of the element.
a) The quantum numbers 3,1,1,1/2 corresponds to Phosphorus. n indicates that
the element has 3 energy levels, the element is in the 3rd period in the periodic
table; ℓ indicates that the orbital type is p, the mℓ is equal to 1 suggesting that all
3 orientations of the p-orbital are occupied; ms is equal to 1/2 indicating up-spin
of the last electron and that the last orbital only has 1 electron, all orientations
of the p-orbital have unpaired electrons. With this, it can be deduced that the
valence subshell of the element is 3p3, the only element in the 3 rd period of the
periodic table having this valence subshell is phosphorus.
b) The quantum numbers 1,0,0,-1/2 corresponds to Helium. n indicates that the

element has 1 energy level, the element is in the 1st period in the periodic table;
ℓ indicates that the orbital type is s, there is only one orientation of the s orbital
thus mℓ=0; ms is equal to -1/2 indicating down-spin of the last electron and that
the last orbital has 2 electrons. With this, it can be deduced that the
valence subshell of the element is 1s2, the only element in the 1st period
of the periodic table having this valence subshell is helium.
C. Paramagnetism and Diamagnetism

 Paramagnetism refers to the magnetic state of an atom that has one or more unpaired
electrons. Due to the electrons' magnetic dipole moments, the unpaired electrons are
attracted by a magnetic field. Hund's Rule states that electrons have to occupy every orbital
singly before any orbital is doubly occupied. This could leave the atom with many unpaired
electrons. Since unpaired electrons can spin in either direction, they exhibit magnetic
moments in any direction. This capability lets paramagnetic atoms to be attracted to
magnetic fields.
 Diamagnetic substances are characterized by paired electrons. According to
the Pauli Exclusion Principle, no two electrons could occupy identical quantum state at the
same time, the electron spins are oriented in opposite directions. With this, the magnetic
fields of the electrons cancel out; thus there is no net magnetic moment, and the atom
cannot be attracted into a magnetic field.
 How to tell if a substance is paramagnetic or diamagnetic:
Electron configuration can be used to determine the magnetic properties of an element: If
it has unpaired electrons, then the substance is paramagnetic and if all electrons are paired,
the substance is diamagnetic. This process can be broken into these steps:
1. Write down the electron configuration
2. Draw the valence orbitals
3. Identify if unpaired electrons exist
4. Based on the orbital diagram, determine whether the element is diamagnetic or
paramagnetic

 Example: Zinc Atoms
o Step 1: Determine the electron configuration
For Zn atoms, the electron configuration is [Ar]4s 23d10
o Step 2: Draw the valence orbitals
Focus on the valence electrons only (ignore the core electrons).
o Step 3: Look for unpaired electrons

There are no unpaired electrons.
o Step 4: Determine whether the substance is diamagnetic or paramagnetic
Since there are no unpaired electrons, zinc atoms are diamagnetic.
Activity No. 1: Complete me!

What you need: Pen, Paper, Periodic Table of Elements
What to do: Look at the given elements on the periodic table. Write the electron configuration in
the second column. In the third column, draw the orbital diagram of the subshell in the highest
energy level containing the last electron. In the fourth column, determine whether it is
paramagnetic or diamagnetic. Lastly, assign quantum numbers as directed. Write your answers
on a separate sheet of paper.
Draw the orbital Quantum Number of the
Condensed diagram of the Is it Last Electron
Electron subshell in the paramagnetic
Element
Configu- highest energy or
N ℓ ml ms
ration level containing diamagnetic?
the last electron
Na [Ne]3s1 ↑ paramagnetic 3 0 0 1/2
Ca
Cl
Sc
Zn
O
Activity No. 2: Make me!

- What you need: paper, pen, scissors/cutter, scotch tape, sticks, cardboard or acetate,
styrofoam balls or balloons or any locally available materials that could depict an orbital shape
such as mansanitas, and the likes.
- What to do: In this activity, you will be crafting models depicting the shape of the s, p,
and d orbitals. Follow the steps below:
1. Create a model of the s, p, and d orbitals using locally available materials. You may
refer to the key concepts section for the shapes of the orbitals. Use the
styrofoam/balloon/other materials to depict the region where you can most likely
find an electron. Use the cardboard/acetate and sticks to depict the nodal planes.
2. Label your model using strips of paper.
3. If you are using perishable items such as fruits for your models, take pictures of your
model. There should be pictures where you are holding your output and other

pictures showing close-up look of your model. Print the pictures and attach them in
your activity sheet. If you don’t have printers at home, you may send the pictures in
your class’ group chat instead.
4. If you are using non-perishable items for your models, you may submit the model
itself to your teacher during the retrieval of modules/activity sheets. Make sure to
pack the model securely to keep it intact.
- Guide Questions:
1. Describe the shape of the s, p, and d orbitals.
2. Can electrons be exactly found on the regions depicted by the orbital shapes?
Explain.
Rubric for Model of Orbital Shapes

4 3 2 1
Model Model is Model is well Model shows Model is not
completely thought out and evidence of finished and is
finished and is implemented research in not well thought
well thought out. It correctly but it has a planning but it out. It has lots
accurately depicts missing component. has missing of errors.
the orbital shapes. It contains one or components. It
two errors. contains some
errors.
Construction Model is carefully Model is carefully The model is The model is
constructed using constructed using constructed but poorly
appropriate locally appropriate locally uses some constructed and
available materials available materials inappropriate is messy.
that showcase but it does not materials. It is
student’s showcase student’s neat.
creativity. It is creativity. It is neat.
neat.
Label All are labeled 1-2 parts of the label There are labels No label, or
correctly. are not formatted but most parts there are labels
correctly. are formatted but are
incorrectly. formatted
incorrectly.
Reflection
Give practical applications of quantum numbers/orbital diagrams/magnetic property in
real life. Write your responses on a separate sheet of paper. Be guided with the following rubrics:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reflection Rubric
3 Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the
concepts, and has no misconception.
2 Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the
concepts, but with minimal misconception.
1 Practical application is explained consistent to the concepts, but
with misconceptions.
0 No discussion
References for learners:

Boudreaux, Kevin. “Quantum Numbers, Atomic Orbitals, and Electron Configurations,” 2020.
https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/index.htm.
Chang, Raymond. Chemistry. 10th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
ChemistryGod. “Aufbau Principle with Exceptions ~ ChemistryGod,” February 18, 2020.
https://chemistrygod.com/aufbau-principle.
Clark, Jim, and Richard Spinney. “Magnetic Properties.” Chemistry LibreTexts. Libretexts, July
14, 2020.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_M
aps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Physical_Properties_of_
Matter/Atomic_and_Molecular_Properties/Magnetic_Properties.
Flowers, Paul, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, and William R. Robinson. “Development of
Quantum Theory.” Chemistry 2e. OpenStax, October 19, 2018.
https://opentextbc.ca/chemistry2eopenstax/chapter/development-of-quantum-theory/.
Patalinghug, Wyona C, Vic Marie I Camacho, Fortunato B Sevilla, and Maria Cristina D Singson.
Teaching Guide for Senior High School General Chemistry 1. Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines: Commission on Higher Education, 2016.
Pringle, Kenneth. “1.4: Electron Configuration and Orbital Diagrams.” Chemistry LibreTexts.
Libretexts, July 11, 2020.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Under_Construction/Purgatory/Essential_Chemistry_(Curriki)
/Unit_1:_Atomic_and_Molecular_Structure/1.4:_Electron_Configuration_and_Orbital_Diagr
ams.
Answer Key
Activity No. 1:
Is it Quantum
Condensed Draw the orbital diagram for the
paramagnetic Number of the
Element Electron subshell in the highest energy level
or Last Electron
Configuration containing the last electron
diamagnetic? n ℓ ml ms
Na [Ne]3s1 ↑ paramagnetic* 3 0 0 1/2
Ca [Ar]4s2 ↑↓ diamagnetic* 4 0 0 -1/2
Cl [Ne]3s23p5 ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ paramagnetic* 3 1 1 1/2
Sc [Ar]4s23d1 ↑ paramagnetic* 3 2 -2 1/2
Zn [Ar]4s23d10 ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ diamagnetic* 3 2 2 -1/2
O [He]2s22p4 ↑↓ ↑ ↑ paramagnetic* 2 1 -1 -1/2
*ground state
Activity No. 2: Answers are expected to vary.


GC1 - Q2 - Week 1

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WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

General Chemistry 1, Quarter 2, Week 1

THE QUANTUM MECHANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ATOM

Name: ___________________________________________ Section: ____________________

 Most Essential Learning Competencies:

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

d. It is usually designated by letters s, p, d, f, … which have a historical origin from

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

 Rules for Filling Orbitals:

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

b) The quantum numbers 1,0,0,-1/2 corresponds to Helium. n indicates that the

C. Paramagnetism and Diamagnetism

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

o Step 3: Look for unpaired electrons

Activity No. 1: Complete me!

Activity No. 2: Make me!

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

Rubric for Model of Orbital Shapes

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

References for learners:

Cl [Ne]3s23p5 ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ paramagnetic* 3 1 1 1/2

Sc [Ar]4s23d1 ↑ paramagnetic* 3 2 -2 1/2

Zn [Ar]4s23d10 ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ diamagnetic* 3 2 2 -1/2

O [He]2s22p4 ↑↓ ↑ ↑ paramagnetic* 2 1 -1 -1/2

Activity No. 2: Answers are expected to vary.

Author: Ryan Paul M. Vales

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Name: _______________________ Section: