Explain what each quantum number in a quantum number set tells you about the electron. Compare and contrast the locations and properties of two electrons within an atom that have the quantum number sets (3, 2, -1, +½) and (3, 1, -1, +½).

Question

sarahc · Answer

@.Sam.

anonymous · Answer

You should learn about Bohr's theory in order to understand quantum numbers.. :-/.. have you learn't Bohr's theory of atoms?

anonymous · Answer

I don't think Bohr's theory covers this concept. You will have to understand the quantum mechanic concepts.
The first number is the Principal quantum number - n
The second number is the azimuthal quantum number - l
the third number is the magnetic quantum number - ml
fourth number is the electron spin quantum number - ms

What this means simply is that if n is 1, the electron is in the first principal quantum shell. if it is two, it is in the second. Since your question is 3, it is in the 3rd shell.

The second number is atomic orbital that electron is in. If it is 0, it is in s, 1 in p, 2 in d, 3 in f, 4 in g, 5 in h and so on.

kropot72 · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

the 3rd number is the type of atomic orbital that electron is in. s has just one type, p has px, py and pz. d has a lot more which i am too lazy to type.

anonymous · Answer

4th number is just the direction of the electron spin. there are only 2 variations which are opposite in direction. +1/2 and -1/2.

anonymous · Answer

So the two electrons are in the 3rd quantum shell. However one is in the d orbital and the other is in the p orbital. as to which type of orbital it occupies, it doesn't really matter but there are conventions you can follow. the electron in the p orbital might be in the 3px, 3py or 3pz orbital while the one in the d orbital might be in the 3dxy orbital or any of the 5 possible orbitals.

anonymous · Answer

Bohr's theory is the start.. he was the person to give the first quantum number :P.. thats why i asked he knew that theory.. its the first theory you learn in quatum mechanical model of an atom!