Quantum Number and Electron

Orbital Review Game

This game is designed to help students review the quantum numbers and how they relate to
electron orbitals. The game board can be copied for students for small groups or projected onto
a smartboard as a class review game.

Each turn, students do four actions to get 4 quantum numbers. Then they place an arrow,
representing an electron in the correct orbital – either facing up or facing down depending on
the spin. If the numbers are NOT allowed based on the quantum numbers rules, students must
recognize that these numbers are not allowed and re-spin. If they place an “illegal” electron, or
an electron in the wrong place, they lose the electron. The student with the most correctly
placed electrons wins.

Quantum Number Rules:

n – represents the principle quantum number. It can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…

The numbers next to each circle tells the n value.
l – represents the orbital. It can be equal to 0, 1, 2…up to (n-1)
The values represent the orbitals are shown below:
l =0 is an s orbital
l =1 is a p orbital
l =12 is a d orbital
l ==3 is an f orbital

ml – represents the specific orbital. It has the values from -l to +l

The ml values go from negative values to positive values. For example:
Values for p orbitals are:

-1 0 1

ms – represents the spin: It can have a value of +½ or a -½

+½ is spin up - an arrow representing an electron is placed pointing up
` -½ is spin down – an arrow representing an electron is place pointing down

Four actions to select quantum numbers:

1) Roll a die to select the energy level, n.

2) Roll a 4-sided die to select the orbital type, l.
3) Spin a spinner to select specific orbital, ml.
4) Flip a coin to select the spin, ms.
Materials Needed:
1 die – Supply your own
1 spinner – Cut out an add a paper fastener to arrow
1 4-sided die - Fold and tape into tetrahedron shape
1 coin –Cut out and glue together.
Electrons – circles with arrows –use different colors for different students

-3
ELECTRONS

2 3
-2 1
01 -

-½ 1
/2 4
+½
3

/2