Help!!
What does a set of four quantum numbers tell you about an electron? Compare and contrast the locations and properties of two electrons with quantum number sets (4, 3, 1, +½) and (4, 3, -1, +½).

Question

Help!!
What does a set of four quantum numbers tell you about an electron? Compare and contrast the locations and properties of two electrons with quantum number sets (4, 3, 1, +½) and (4, 3, -1, +½).

aaronq · Answer

The 4 quantum numbers are like a home address, they specify the location (and energy) of an electron. In any given atom, no two electrons have all 4 of the same quantum numbers.are arranged like this:


$\large n,~ l,~ m_l,~ m_s$

$n$, principal quantum number: tells which energy level the electron is in, can be any positive integer, e.g. 1, 2,3 

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$l$ angular momentum quantum number: tells which $\underbrace{\large orbital}_{s,p,d,f}$ the electron is in

This number can't be greater than $n$, meaning:  $l\le n-1$

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Each orbital (s, p, d ,f) can fit a different number of electrons. s=2, p=6, d=10, f=14

$m_l$ magnetic quantum number: tells which spatial orientation of the orbital the electron is in. This translates into the specific orbital e.g $p_x, ~p_y, ~p_z$
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$m_s$ spin quantum number: tells the spin of the electron within an orbital. Can only take values of $+\dfrac{1}{2}~ or -\dfrac{1}{2}$.

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