The principal quantum S P

number can be determined by

looking at the period
(numbered row) of the D

element on the periodic table.

The principal quantum
numbers of electrons in the S-
block and P-block are the same Pt

as the period number. The

Bh
principal quantum number of
electrons in the D-block is
period minus 1. The principal
F
quantum number of electrons
in the F-block is period minus
2.
Azimuthal Quantum Number ℓ
Magnetic quantum number (ml): The magnetic
quantum number describes the orientation of the
orbital that an electron is located in.

The value of ml ranges from +l to -l (including 0).

In order to determine the ms value for an
element's last valence electron, start numbering
from left to right in the subshell of the element,
beginning with the -l value and progressing to the
+l value (the process may need to be repeated
twice). For example, if looking at a D-block
element, you should number -2, -1, 0, 1, 2.
Whichever number corresponds to the element in
question is the ml value for that particular
electron.
Electron spin quantum number (ms): The electron
spin quantum number describes the angular
momentum of a given particle. The angular
momentum has both a magnitude and direction.
The electron spin quantum number can only have 2
values: -1/2 and +1/2. 1/2 describes the magnitude
and +/- provides information on the direction of
spin.

Following Hund's rule, electrons enter unoccupied

orbitals of equal energy before completely filling an
orbital. This means that +1/2 spin electrons will fill
before -1/2 spin electrons. When looking at a
particular subshell (s,p,d,f), the first half of the
subshell will be +1/2 and the second half will be -1/2.
ms = +1/2 or -1/2
How to Identify the 4 Quantum Numbers for an Element's Last Valence Electron?
Example #1 Identify the 4 quantum numbers for the last valence electron in a Calcium atom.

Step 1: Find Calcium on the Periodic Table. It has

an atomic number of 20.

Step 2: Find the n and l values. Since Calcium is an

S-block element, its n value is the same as the
period n = 4 and l = 0.

Step 3: Find the ml value. Since l = 0, ml only has

one possible value ml = 0.

Step 4: Find the ms value. Since Calcium is in the

second half of the s-block, its ms = -1/2.

Step 5: Final List the quantum numbers for the

last valence electron in Calcium: (4, 0, 0, -1/2).
Identify the 4 quantum numbers for the last valence electron in a Carbon atom.

Step 1: Find Carbon on the Periodic Table. It has an

atomic number of 6.

Step 2: Find the n and l values. Since Carbon is a P-

block element, its n value is the same as the period n
= 2 and l = 1.

Step 3: Find the ml value. Since l = 1, ml can be -1,

0, or 1. Numbering from left to right in the P-block
gives the final electron of Carbon: ml = 0.

Step 4:Find the ms value. Since Carbon is in the first

half of the p-block, its ms = +1/2.

Step 5: Final List the quantum numbers for the last

valence electron in Carbon: (2, 1, 0, +1/2).
Find the quantum number of Tungsten (W)
remember the number and capacity of s, p, d, and f are energy
sublevels There can only be 1 s orbital in the given energy level, 3
p orbitals, 5 d orbitals, and 7 f orbitals.
The Aufbau Principle states that electrons will fill in
an atom in a specific order.
 states that in any atom no electron can have the
same four electronic quantum numbers as
another electron.
Each orbital gets one
electron first, before
adding the second electron
to the orbital
Determine the Electron Configuration, Orbital Diagram, and Quantum Numbers
of the following elements:

1. Cu29
EC: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9
OD:

QN:
n-
ℓ-
ml-
ms-
Principal quantum number
(n)

Cu Se

I
Azimuthal Quantum Number ℓ
Cu