Question

Which of the following is a possible set of quantum numbers for an electron (n, l, ml, ms)?

(1, 1, 0, + ½)
(2, 1, 2, + ½)
(3, 2, 0, -½)
(3, -2, 1, -½)

Answer 1

were you given an elctron in particular?

Answer 2

I would go with (3,2,0, -1/2)

Answer 3

(n,l,ml,ms) = (3,2,0,-1/2) is the only possible set of these four.

the first set fails because; 0≤l≤1-n
the second fails; ml≤±l
the fourth fails; 0≤l≤1-n

the third set passes
0<n, 0≤ l≤n-1, ml≤±l, ms=±1/2

Answer 4

Since no specific element is given, you'll have to use the process of elimination through the quantum numbers themselves.

First off, n can equal 1,2,3, etc. (referring to orbit size).
Next angular momentum, or l, is found by using n-1.
(1, 1, 0, + ½) (2, 1, 2, + ½) & (3, -2, 1, -½) are all thrown out just from finding l.
Which leaves (3, 2, 0, -½) as the correct answer.