Quantum Numbers
Orbitals of electrons in atoms differ in size shape
and orientation. Definite energies and angular
movements characterize atomic orbitals.
The state of an electron in any atom is defined by
certain permissible values of energy and angular
momentum, which describe its location with
respect to its nucleus and its energy level.
These permissible states are called orbitals and are
expressed by a set of four numbers 'n', 'l', 'm' and
's' called quantum numbers.
Quantum Numbers
These numbers serve as the signature of the
electrons, uniquely describing its position in
the atom.
The 'n', 'l' and 'm' indicate the spatial
distribution while 's' indicates the spin
orientation of the electrons.
Principle quantum number (n)
It was proposed by Bohr and denoted by n.
It determines the average distance between electron
and nucleus, means it denotes the size of atom.
It determine the energy of the electron in an orbit
where electron is present.
Principle quantum number (n)
The maximum number of an electron in an orbit
represented by this quantum number as 2n2. No
energy shells in atoms of known elements possess
more limit 32 electrons.
It gives the information of orbit K, L, M, N——-
Angular momentum can also be calculated using
principle quantum number.
Principle quantum number (n)
This quantum number determines the main energy
shell or energy level in which the electron is present.
It is denoted by the letter 'n' that can take whole
number values starting from 1, 2, 3, 4, ….. . The
shell with n = 1 is called first shell or 'K' shell. The
shell with n = 2 is the 'L' shell and so on.
Azimuthal quantum number( ℓ )
Azimuthal quantum number is also known as angular
quantum number. Proposed by Sommerfield and
denoted by ℓ .
It determines the number of sub shells or sublevels
to which the electron belongs.
It tells about the shape of subshells.
It also expresses the energies of subshells s <p <d< f
(increasing energy).
Azimuthal quantum number( ℓ )
The different sub shells are represented by first writing
the value of 'n' and then the letter designated for the
value of 'l'. To illustrate,
n = 1 l = 0 one sub shell 1s n = 2 l = 0,1 two sub shells
2s, 2p
n = 3 l = 0,1,2 three sub shells 3s, 3p, 3d n =4 l =
0,1,2,3 four sub shells 4s, 4p, 4d, 4f
Thus for each value of 'n' there are 'n' values of 'l'. The
value of azimuthal quantum number gives the shape
of the sub shell or orbital. So it is also called as orbital
quantum number.
Azimuthal quantum number( ℓ )
The value of ℓ=(n-1) always. Where n is the number
of principle shell.
It represent the orbital angular momentum. Which
is equal to h/2π √ℓ (ℓ + a)
The maximum number of electrons in subshell =
2(2ℓ+1)
s – subshell -> 2 electrons d – subshell -> 10
electrons
p – subshell -> 6 electrons f – subshell -> 14
electrons.
Magnetic quantum number (m)
It was proposed by Zeeman and denoted by ‘m’
It gives the number of permitted orientation of
subshells.
The value of m varies from - ℓ to + ℓ through zero
It tells about the splitting of spectral lines in the
magnetic field i.e. this quantum number proves the
Zeeman effect.
Magnetic quantum number (m)
For a given value of ‘n’ the total value of ‘m’ is equal
to n2.
For a given value of ℓ the total value of ‘m’ is equal
to (2ℓ + 1).
Degenerate orbitals : Orbitals having the same
energy are known as degenerate orbitals. e.g. for p
subshell Px Py Pz
The number of degenerate orbitals of s subshell = 0.
Spin quantum numbers (s)
It was proposed by Goldshmidt & Ulen Back and
denoted by the symbol of s.
The value of s is + 1/2 and -1/2, which signifies the spin
or rotation or direction of electron on it’s axis during
movement.
The spin may be clockwise or anticlockwise.
It represents the value of spin angular momentum is
equal to h/2π √s(s+1)
Spin quantum numbers (s)
Maximum spin of an atom = 1/2 x number of
unpaired electron.
This quantum number is not the result of solution of
schrodinger equation as solved for H-atom.
