Unit 1-Atomic Orbitals

Question 1

What are the four quantum numbers?

Answer 1

Principal quantum number, n
Angular momentum quantum number, l
Magnetic quantum number, m_l
Spin magnetic quantum number, m_s

Question 2

What does the principal quantum number n
tell us?

Answer 2

The size of the orbital/the main energy level

Question 3

What values can n
take?

Answer 3

n = 1, 2, 3, 4

Question 4

What does the angular momentum quantum number l tell us?

Answer 4

The type (shape) of orbital

Question 5

What orbital types correspond to each value of l?

Answer 5

l = 0 → s orbital
l = 1 → p orbital
l = 2 → d orbital
l = 3 → f orbital

Question 6

What does the magnetic quantum number m_l tell us?

Answer 6

Which specific orbital within a subshell is being used (its orientation)

Question 7

How many s orbitals exist?

Answer 7

l = 0 → m_l = 0 → only s orbital

Question 8

How many p orbitals exist?

Answer 8

l = 1 → m_l = -1, 0, +1 → three p orbitals

Question 9

How many d orbitals exist?

Answer 9

l = 2 → m_l = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 → five d orbitals

Question 10

How many f orbitals exist?

Answer 10

l = 3 → m_l = -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3 → seven f orbitals

Question 11

What does the spin magnetic quantum number m_s tell us?

Answer 11

The direction of spin of the electron

Question 12

Give the principal quantum number for one of carbon’s outermost electrons.

Answer 12

Carbon’s outer electrons are in the second energy level → n = 2

Question 13

Give the angular momentum quantum number for one of carbon’s outermost electrons.

Answer 13

Carbon’s outer electrons occupy a p orbital → l = 1

Question 14

Which magnetic quantum number m_l is not possible for one of carbon’s outermost electrons?

Answer 14

Carbon’s outer electrons are in p orbitals → allowed m_l
values are −1, 0, +1 → +2 is not allowed

Question 15

Describe the shape of an s orbital

Answer 15

Spherical

Question 16

Describe the shape of p orbitals

Answer 16

Dumbbell shaped along the axes

Question 17

Describe the shape of d orbitals

Answer 17

Five orientations with more complex shapes

Question 18

Electrons in the same orbital will have identical quantum numbers.” True or false?

Answer 18

False. No two electrons can have the same four quantum numbers.