QUANTUM NUMBERS

BY
Ahmed Sayed
THE ATOM

It is the smallest component of an element having the chemical

properties of the element, consisting of a nucleus containing
combinations of neutrons and protons and electrons bound to the
nucleus by electrical attraction.
As We Know Atoms Consists of :
1-Neucleus: which contains:
-protons(positively charged)
-neutrons(electrically neutral)

2-Electrons: Negatively charged

Electrons move due to the electric attractive force between it and the
positive charge (protons)
 Quantum Numbers
Quantum Number Definition:
A number used when describing the energy levels available to atoms
and molecules.
An electron in an atom or ion has four quantum numbers to describe its
state.
A set of values that describes the state of an electron including:
its distance from the nucleus,
the orientation and type of orbital where it is likely to be found,
and its spin.
 The Four Basic Quantum Number:

1-Principle Quantum Number (N) (describes the energy level)

2-Angular Quantum Number (l) (describes the subshell)

3-Magnetic Quantum Number (ml) (describes the orbital of the

subshell)

4-Spin Quantum Number (ms) (describes the spin)

 1-Principle Quantum Number (N)
(The energy level)
FIRST: The Definition Of the energy level:
• The possible locations around an atom where electrons having specific energy
values (quantum number) may be found.

• The principal quantum number has the symbol n.

n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ...... “shells”
(n = K, L, M, N, ......)
The electron’s energy depends principally on n .
• Main energy level occupied by electron

• Values are all positive whole integers (1,2,3,…)

• As it increases, The electron:

Has more energy

Is farther from nucleus

• The total number of orbitals in a level is equal to n^2

 2-Angeular Quantum Number (l)
(describes the sublevel)

• Describe the sublevel

• L=0 to (n-1)

• Numbers of sublevel From 0 to Max

• If n = 1, l = 0
• If n = 2, l = 0, 1
• If n = 3, l = 0, 1, 2
• If n = 4, l = 0, 1, 2, 3

• Usually denoted by the letters (s, p, d, f)

 3-Magnetic Quantum Number (ml)
(describes the orbital of the sublevel)
It based on the number of l to get the number of orbitals
#ml = -L 0 +L

Orbitals N
s1 1 1
s1,p3 4 2
s1,p3,d5 9 3
s1,p3,d5,f7 16 4
• S = contains of 1 room (2 electrons) room = orbital
• P = contains of 3 rooms (6 electrons)
• d = contains of 5 rooms (10 electrons)
• F = contains of 7 rooms (14 electrons)

WHAT IS YOUR OBSERVATION ?

Every room contains 2 electrons
 4-Spin Quantum Number (ms)
(describes the spin)

The Definition:
The quantum number that designates the total angular momentum
associated with electron spin and has a value of ½ in units of h/2π.
Spin quantum number is that there are two electrons in the same orbital.
Moving in inversely direction. With a specific arrow differ from each other
(one having the head of the arrow upward and the other is downward)
Ms = -1/2 or +1/2
 Examples
Sodium (11e)

1S^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1

Magnisum (12e)

1S^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2

 Simple Table

Number Of Energy Level Number Of Orbital Sublevel Energy level

2 1 S 1

8 4 = 3 ,1 S, p 2

18 9 = 5 , 3 ,1 S, p, d 3

32 16 = 7 ,5 ,3 ,1 S, p, d, f 4
 QUESTIONS

• What are the 4 quantum numbers for the

electron of highest energy in nitrogen?
• What are the 4 quantum numbers for the
electron of highest energy in sulfur?