Quantum Numbers

• n, l, m, and s
– Used to describe an electron in an atom
• Probable location

• n
– Principal Quantum Number
– Represents main energy level of electron
• Maximum # of electrons in an energy level = 2n2

• Example: What is the maximum number of

electrons that can be in the 5th main energy
level?
– 2(52)
– Electrons in 7th energy level? Episode 304
 Quantum Numbers
• l
• The 2nd quantum number
– Angular momentum quantum number
• Describes the orbital shape within an
energy level
• Number of orbital shapes possible in an
energy level = n
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-
jNgq16jEY&list=PLD1C287B0E1484083&index=9&feature=plcp

Episode 304
 Orbital Shapes
• Designated s, p, d, and f
• Level 1: s
• Level 2: s, p
• Level 3: s, p, d
• Level 4: s, p, d, f

Episode 304
 How many electrons can each sublevel
hold?
• s = 1 orbital x 2 e-/orbital = 2 e-
• p = 3 orbitals x 2 e-/orbital = 6 e-
• d = 5 orbitals x 2 e-/orbital = 10 e-
• f = 7 orbitals x 2 e-/orbital = 14 e-

Energy Level E sublevel # of orbitals # e- in orbital # e- = 2n2

n Type of orbital

1 s 1 2 2(12) = 2

s 1 2
2 2(22) = 8
p 3 6
Episode 304
 Quantum Numbers
• m
• The 3rd quantum number
– Magnetic Quantum Number
• Describes the orientation of the orbital
in space

Episode 304
 Quantum Numbers
• s
• The 4th quantum number
– Spin Quantum Number
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2ypC7rnFXLU&list=PLD1C287B0E1484083&index=1&feature=plcp

• Describes the spin of the electron in orbital

• Ground state
• Lowest energy arrangement of electrons
– Aufbau Principle

Episode 304
Diagonal Rule
Examples:
• Hydrogen
– 1 electron
– 1s1
• Lithium
– 3 electrons
– 1s2 2s1
• Nitrogen
– 7 electrons
– 1s2 2s2 2p3
Episode 304
• Electron Configurations
– Describes the electron distribution within
an atom
• Longhand electron configuration
– Nitrogen 1s2 2s2 2p3
• Orbital Notation
– Uses arrows to represent electrons
• Examples:
– Hydrogen 1s1

1s
Episode 304
 Nitrogen
• 1s2 2s2 2p3

1s 2s 2p

• Hund’s Rule
• Orbitals of equal energy are each occupied by one
electron before any orbital is occupied by a second
electron (spinning in opposite direction)
• Pauli Exclusion Principle
• No two electrons in the same atom can have the same
set of 4 quantum numbers
Episode 304