Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ILOCOS NORTE

General Chemistry 1
Quarter 2 – Module 21 :
Quantum Numbers

MELC: Use quantum numbers to describe an electron of an atom

(K to 12 BEC CG:STEM_GC11ES-IIa-b-54)

Prepared by:

LOVELLA M. AGUITE
Teacher III
Pagudpud National High School
General Chemistry 1
Quarter 2 – Module 21: Quantum Numbers
First Edition, 2020

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Development Team of the Module

Writers: Lovella M. Aguite
Editor:
Reviewers:
Illustrators:
Layout Artist:
Management Team: Joann A. Corpuz
Joye D. Madalipay
Arnel S. Bandiola
Jenetrix T. Tumaneng
Jerry G.Tabrilla

Schools Division of Ilocos Norte

Office Address: Brgy. 7B, Giron Street, Laoag City, Ilocos
Norte
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Telephone No.: (077) 770-5963, (077) 600-2605
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 General
Chemistry 1
Quarter 2 – Module 21:
Quantum Numbers
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ILOCOS NORTE

Introductory Message
For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the General Chemistry 1 Module on Quantum Numbers. This

module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both from
public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping the
learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their
personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also
aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Note to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that will help you
in guiding the learners

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the learner:

Welcome to the General Chemistry 1 Module on Quantum Numbers. This

module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for guided
and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to process
the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.
This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to This will give you an idea of the skills or

Know competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to check

what you already know about the lesson to take. If
you get all the answers correct (100%), you may
decide to skip this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link the

current lesson with the previous one.

In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to

Whats New
you in various ways such as a story, a song, a poem,
a problem opener, an activity or a situation.

This section provides a brief discussion of the

What is it
lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

This comprises activities for independent practice to

What’s More
solidify your understanding and skills of the topic.
You may check the answers to the exercises using
the Answer Key at the end of the module.

What I have This includes questions or blank

Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what
you learned from the lesson.

This section provides an activity which will help you

What I Can Do
transfer your new knowledge or skill into real life
situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of

mastery in achieving the learning competency.

Additional In this portion, another activity will be given to you

Activities to enrich your knowledge or skill of the lesson
learned.
 Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

This is a list of all sources used in developing this
References
module.
The following are some reminders in using this module:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not
alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature of quantum numbers. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence
of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond
with the textbook you are now using.

This module focuses on:

 Lesson 21 – Quantum Numbers

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. define the four quantum numbers;
2. determine the quantum numbers for specific electron when given appropriate
data; and
3. explain the behavior of electrons using quantum numbers.
 What I Know

Direction: Write the letter of the best answer.

1. What type of quantum number determines the energy of an orbital?

A. principal C. magnetic
B. azimuthal D. spin

2. It describes the behavior of a specific electron and completes the description

of electrons in atoms.
A. principal C. magnetic
B. azimuthal D. spin

3. The maximum number of electrons allowed in the first energy level is

A. 2 C. 8
B. 32 D. 18

4. Which of the following sets of four quantum numbers cannot exist for an
electron in an atom?
A. (3, 2, +2, +1/2) C. (4, 0, 0, +1/2)
B. (2, 1, 0, -1/2) D. (2, 2, -1, +1/2)

5. The angular quantum number is also known as __________ quantum

number.
A. principal C. magnetic
B. azimuthal D. spin

Lesson

21
Quantum Numbers

A major problem with Bohr's model was that it treated electrons as particles
that existed in precisely-defined orbits. Based on de Broglie's idea that particles could
exhibit wavelike behavior, Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger theorized that the
behavior of electrons within atoms could be explained by treating them
mathematically as matter waves. This model, which is the basis of the modern
understanding of the atom, is known as the quantum mechanical or wave
mechanical model.

Electron is believed to be the most mysterious particle in an atom because of

its location. There is a definite order in terms of the arrangement of electron in
atoms.The location of an electron depends on the amount of energy an electron has.
The electrons normally exist in the lowest energy levels. An energy level represents a
volume occupied by an electron cloud. The lowest energy level of energy state is called
the ground state. When a substance is strongly heated, the atoms absorb energy and
the electron receives energy supplied from an external source. As the electrons become
excited, it will go the highest energy state farthest from the nucleus. This time, the
electron is said to be on an excited state. The highest occupied energy level or
electron shell is known as the valence shell, and the electrons occupying this shell
are called valence electrons.

What’s In

Let us review your previous knowledge on the different subatomic particles.

Direction: Fill out the table below.

Element Atomic Mass #p+ #e- #n0

Number Number

Carbon 6 12

Arsenic 75 33

Potassium 19 20

Calcium 20 20

Mercury 108 47
 What is New

Direction: Answer the crossword puzzle.

2 I

3S I

5 L

Across
2. quantum number responsible to the shape of the orbital
3. constitute the electron and its spin
5. corresponds to the possible number of orbits

Down
1. quantum number that represents energy level
4. magnetic quantum number symbol
 What is It

The Quantum Numbers

Quantum Numbers are used to describe an electron in an orbit or atomic

orbital, the region in space with the greatest probability of finding the electron in the
atom.

There are four types of quantum numbers:

The Principal Quantum Number

The first quantum number describes the electron shell, or energy level, of an
atom. The value of n ranges from 1 to the shell containing the outermost electron of
that atom. For example, in caesium (Cs), the outermost valence electron is in the shell
with energy level 6, so an electron in caesium can have an n value from 1 to 6. This
number therefore has a dependence only on the distance between the electron and the
nucleus (i.e. the radial coordinate r). The average distance increases with n, thus
quantum states with different principal quantum numbers are said to belong to
different shells.

The Azimuthal Quantum Number

The second quantum number, known as the angular or orbital quantum

number, describes the subshell and gives the magnitude of the orbital angular
momentum through the relation. In chemistry and spectroscopy, ℓ = 0 is called an s
orbital, ℓ = 1 a p orbital, ℓ = 2 a d orbital, and ℓ = 3 an f orbital. The value of ℓ ranges
from 0 to n − 1 because the first p orbital (ℓ = 1) appears in the second electron shell
(n = 2), the first d orbital (ℓ = 2) appears in the third shell (n = 3), and so on. In
chemistry, this quantum number is very important since it specifies the shape of an
atomic orbital and strongly influences chemical bonds and bond angles.

The Magnetic Quantum Number

The magnetic quantum number describes the energy levels available within a
subshell and yields the projection of the orbital angular momentum along a specified
axis. The values of mℓ range from − to ℓ, with integer steps between them. The s
subshell (ℓ = 0) contains one orbital, and therefore the mℓ of an electron in an s
subshell will always be 0. The p subshell (ℓ = 1) contains three orbitals (in some
systems depicted as three “dumbbell-shaped” clouds), so the mℓ of an electron in a p
subshell will be −1, 0, or 1. The d subshell (ℓ = 2) contains five orbitals, with mℓ values
of −2, −1, 0, 1, and 2. The value of the mℓ quantum number is associated with the
orbital orientation.

The Spin Projection Quantum Number

The fourth quantum number describes the spin (intrinsic angular momentum)
of the electron within that orbital and gives the projection of the spin angular
momentum (s) along the specified axis. Analogously, the values of ms range from −s to
s, where s is the spin quantum number, an intrinsic property of particles. An electron
has spin s = ½, consequently ms will be ±, corresponding with spin and opposite spin.
Each electron in any individual orbital must have different spins because of the Pauli
exclusion principle, therefore an orbital never contains more than two electrons.
For example, the quantum numbers of electrons from a magnesium atom are
listed below. Remember that each list of numbers corresponds to (n, l, ml, ms).
Two s electrons: (1, 0, 0, +½) (1, 0, 0, -½)
Two s electrons: (2, 0, 0, +½) (2, 0, 0, -½)
Six p electrons: (2, 1, -1, +½) (2, 1, -1, -½) (2, 1, 0, +½) (2, 1, 0, -½) (2, 1, 1, +½)
(2, 1, 1, -½)

Two s electrons: (3, 0, 0, +½) (3, 0, 0, -½)

Table relating quantum numbers to orbital shape. The relationship between three of the four quantum
numbers to the orbital shape of simple electronic configuration atoms up through radium (Ra, atomic
number 88).
 The fourth quantum number, the spin, is a property of individual electrons
within a particular orbital. Each orbital may hold up to two electrons with opposite
spin directions.

What’s More

Direction: Answer what is asked for.

1. What is the possible number of orbitals if n = 4?

2. How many orbitals are there in the s subshell?

3. What is the maximum number of electrons if n = 3, l = 1?

4. What is the angular quantum number (l) of p-orbital?

5. How many possible ml values are there in s-type orbital?

 What I have Learned

Direction: Try to explain what is wrong on the following items. A hint is given for
every item to guide you in obtaining the correct answer.

1
1. Determine what is wrong with this quantum numbers: 2, 2, 0, ±
2
Hint: secondary quantum number (l)

2. When n = 3, l can be 1, 2, or 3. What’s wrong in it?

Hint: secondary quantum number (l)

3. Is it possible to have 2d in the electron configuration?

Hint: determining the values of principal/quantum number

4. What is wrong with this electronic configuration: 1s2 , 2s2, 2p9 ?

Hint: sublevels and orbitals

5. Determine which are allowed/ not allowed on the following sets of quantum
numbers:
a. n = 2, l = 1, ml = 1 b. n = 1, l = 0, ml = -1.
Hint: determining values of quantum numbers
 What I Can Do

Direction: Complete the table by supplying the missing values.

Element n l ml ms

9
F

47
Ag

25
Mn

Assessment

Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. The quantum number that describes the size of the orbital, it cannot be
equal to 0.
A. principal C. magnetic
B. azimuthal D. spin

2. The quantum number that describes the shape of the orbital, it is any
integer between 0 and n-1.
A. principal C. magnetic
B. azimuthal D. spin

3. The change of an atom from an excited state to a ground state always

involves __________.
A. absorption of energy
B. release of visible light
C. an increase in electron energy
D. emission of electromagnetic radiation

4. The maximum number of electrons allowed in the third energy level is

 A. 2 C. 8
B. 32 D. 18

5. Which of the following sets of four quantum numbers cannot exist for an
electron in an atom?
A. (3, 2, +2, +1/2) C. (4, 0, 0, +1/2)
B. (2, 1, 0, -1/2) D. (2, 2, -1, +1/2)

Additional Activities

Direction: Explain the following questions.

1. Why can’t we notice quantization of energy in our daily events/ activities?

2. Considering Strontium (Sr) is in ground state, what possible number of

electrons would be in orbitals that are spherical.

3. What are the similarities/differences of 1s and 2s orbitals?

4. What is the difference in the Bohr’s Model and Quantum Mechanical Model
about finding the location of the electron?

5. Is orbital overlapping possible? If yes, when does it occur?

 Answer Key

What I Know

1. A 2. D 3. A 4. D 5. B

What’s In

Element Atomic Mass #p+ #e- #n0

Number Number
Carbon 6 12 6 6 6
Arsenic 33 75 33 33 42
Potassium 19 39 19 19 20
Calcium 20 40 20 20 20
Mercury 47 108 47 47 61

What is New

1. Principal 2. Azimuthal 3. Spin 4. Ml 5. Orbital

What’s More

1. 16 2. 1 3. 6 4. 1 5. 1

What I Have Learned

1. when n = 2, l = 2 is not possible
2. when n = 3, l can be 0, 1, 2 only and not 3
3. l cannot be 2 since n =2. 2d is not possible
4. p orbitals do not have 9 electrons
5. a) allowed; b) not allowed

What I Can Do
9 25
F= n=2, l=1, ml=0, ms=-1/2 Mn=n=3, l=2, ml=1, ms=-1/2
47
Ag=n=5, l=0, ml=0, ms=+1/2
Assessment
1. A 2. B 3. D 4. D 5.D

Additional Activity
1. In quantization, energy is either absorbed or released in finite amount of units.
Quantization of energy can only be seen in atoms and they are relatively small.
The energy that are absorbed and released in our bodies are unnoticed because
they are too tiny.

2. Eight (8) electrons will occupy orbitals that are spherical.

3. similarities - both are spherical in shape; differences – an additional node is

present in 2s, radial expansion (greatest chance of finding the electrons from
the nucleus).

4. Bohr’s Model provides 100% certainty while Quantum Mechanical Model gives
probability on the locations of electrons in certain regions

5. Orbital overlap or hybrid orbital. It occurs when two atoms are in close distance
and that their orbital share the same region of space.

Rubric for Rating Output:

Point Descriptor
5 Answers the question correctly. Logical, in-depth, and
comprehensive interpretations to the question with complete
supporting statement is present
4 Answers the question correctly. Explains a logical interpretation to
the question
3 Understands the question. Uses all appropriate information
correctly but fails to provide a logical explanation to the question
2 Uses some appropriate information correctly. Understands a part
of the question
1 Answer is inaccurate or confusing. Does not understand the
question and uses inappropriate information
References:

Brown, Theodore L., et.al., 2000 Chemistry: The Central Science. USA. Prentice- Hall,
Inc.

Redmore, Fred H. 1980. Fundamentals of Chemistry. USA. Prentice-Hall, Inc

https://www.uen.org

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Telephone No.: (077) 770-5963, (077) 600-2605
E-mail Address: ilocosnorte@deped.gov.ph