Question

How many electrons in an atom can share the quantum numbers n= 2, l = 1, and m subscript l= -1?

Answer 1

2
4
6
8

Answer 2

@cwrw238 @ganeshie8

Answer 3

@TuringTest

Answer 4

@JFraser Can you help me out?

Answer 5

those are 3 of the 4 quantum numbers. Do you know the other quantum number?

Answer 6

It doesnt say

Answer 7

Any Idea?

Answer 8

not the VALUE of the fourth quantum number, but what does it mean?

Answer 9

spin direction

Answer 10

right?

Answer 11

correct, and how many possible values can m_s (the spin direction) have?

Answer 12

2?

Answer 13

-1/2 and +1/2 right?

Answer 14

exactly right.

Answer 15

so if 3 of the 4 quantum numbers are the same, the only thing left is ....

Answer 16

the spin direction

Answer 17

But how do I know how many electrons can share those quantum numbers?

Answer 18

so 3 of the 4 quantum numbers are the same, how many options are there for the spin direction?

Answer 19

2

Answer 20

the Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no 2 electrons in a given atom can have the same 4 quantum numbers. Each electron in a particular atom must have a UNIQUE combination of all 4.

In this case, 3 of the 4 QNs are the same for 2 given electrons. The only QN left has just 2 options. How many electrons total could that describe?

Answer 21

oh okay, so 2 electrons

Answer 22

Thanks