Electron Orbitals

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 Quantum Mechanical
Model of the Atom
Mathematical laws can identify the
regions outside of the nucleus
where electrons are most likely to
be found.

These laws are beyond the scope of

this class


(
()-
) ()+
.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
One cannot simultaneously
determine both the position
and momentum of an electron.

The more certain you are

about where the electron is,
the less certain you can be
about where it is going.

The more certain you are

Werner about where the electron is
Heisenberg going, the less certain you can
be about where it is.


 Quantum Numbers
Each electron in an atom has a unique set of
4 quantum numbers which describe it.

Principal quantum number

Angular momentum quantum number
Magnetic quantum number
Spin quantum number


4

-1 ( ) )(N
-2 ( )
)(L
-3
)(Ml
-4 ( )+
()- )(Ms
 Electron Energy Level (Shell)
Generally symbolized
by n, it denotes the
probable distance of
the electron from
the nucleus. n is
also known as the
Principle Quantum
number
Number of electrons
that can fit in a
shell: 2n2
 )(N

)(n

2n2
Electron Orbitals
An orbital is a region within an energy level
where there is a probability of finding an
electron.

Orbital shapes are defined as the surface

that contains 90% of the total electron
probability.
The angular momentum quantum number,
generally symbolized by l, denotes the
orbital (subshell) in which the electron is
located.


( X )Y
%90

L

 s Orbital shape

The s orbital
(l = 0) has a
spherical shape
centered around
the origin of the
three axes in
space.
 p orbital shape

There are three dumbbell-shaped p

orbitals (l = 1) in each energy level above
n = 1, each assigned to its own axis (x, y
and z) in space.
d orbital shapes Things get a bit more
complicated with the
five d orbitals (l = 2)
that are found in the d
sublevels beginning with
n = 3. To remember
the shapes, think of
double dumbells
and a dumbell
with a donut!
Shape of f (l = 3) orbitals
Energy Levels, Sublevels, Electrons
Energy Sublevels in Number of Number of Number of
Level main energy orbitals per Electrons electrons per
(n) level sublevel per sublevel main energy
(n sublevels) level (2n2)
1 s 1 2 2
2 s 1 2 8
p 3 6
3 s 1 2 18
p 3 6
d 5 10
4 s 1 2 32
p 3 6
d 5 10
f 7 14
 Magnetic Quantum Number
The magnetic quantum number, generally
symbolized by m, denotes the orientation of the
electrons orbital with respect to the three axes in
space.
Orbital filling table
 Electron Spin
The Spin Quantum Number describes
the behavior (direction of spin) of an
electron within a magnetic field.

Possibilities for electron spin:

1 1

2 2
 Pauli Exclusion Principle

Two electrons occupying

the same orbital must
have opposite spins

Wolfgang
Pauli
 Element Configuration Orbital notation Noble gas
notation notation

Lithium 1s22s1 [He]2s1

____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1s 2s 2p
Beryllium 1s22s2 [He]2s2
____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1s 2s 2p
Boron 1s22s2p1 [He]2s2p1
____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1s 2s 2p
Carbon 1s22s2p2 [He]2s2p2
____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1s 2s 2p
Nitrogen 1s22s2p3 [He]2s2p3
____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1s 2s 2p
Oxygen 1s22s2p4 [He]2s2p4
____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1s 2s 2p
Fluorine 1s22s2p5 [He]2s2p5
____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1s 2s 2p
Neon 1s22s2p6 [He]2s2p6
____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1s 2s 2p
 Exclusion Warning!

Assigning quantum numbers to electrons

has been exluded and will not be tested!
The following slides are purely for your
entertainment
 Assigning the Numbers
The three quantum numbers (n, l, and m) are
integers.
The principal quantum number (n) cannot be
zero.
n must be 1, 2, 3, etc.
The angular momentum quantum number (l )
can be any integer between 0 and n - 1.
For n = 3, l can be either 0, 1, or 2.
The magnetic quantum number (ml) can be any
integer between -l and +l.
For l = 2, m can be either -2, -1, 0, +1, +2.
Quantum numbers for the first four levels of orbitals in the hydrogen atom

n l Orbital ml # of
designation orbitals
1 0 1s 0 1

2 0 2s 0 1
1 2p -1, 0, 1 3

3 0 3s 0 1
1 3p -1, 0, 1 3
2 3d -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 5

4 0 4s 0 1
1 4p -1, 0, 1 3
2 4d -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 5
3 4f -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 7