Atomic Orbitals

Question

Give an allowable set of quantum numbers for a 3s electron. What is the maximum number of 3s electrons that can be present in an atom?

n ________ l ________ ml ________ ms ________

Maximum number of 3s electrons: ____________

Answer 1

n = principal quantum number = 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

l = orbital angular momentum quantum number = 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. It can be any # between 0 and n-1.

ml = magnetic quantum number = - l to + l (e.g. -1 to + 1 or -1, 0, +1).

ms = spin quantum number = +1/2 and -1/2

For a 3s electron...

n = 3

l = 0

m = 0

s = +1/2 or -1/2

Maximum number of 3s electrons is TWO.