Question

Explain why the quantum number set (3, 2, -3, +½) is not possible for an electron in a ground-state atom.

Answer 1

PLEASE HELP :)

Answer 2

i try

Answer 3

thanks

Answer 4

mmm this beyond me to answer...@confluxepic

Answer 5

@abb0t

Answer 6

just start tagging people

Answer 7

@Nnesha

Answer 8

@abb0t

Answer 9

tag them all in one post

Answer 10

@Daniellelovee

Answer 11

@emma97 @e.mccormick @Australopithecus @autumnm

Answer 12

@sammixboo

Answer 13

@Australopithecus

Answer 14

@Preetha

Answer 15

@PRAETORIAN.10

Answer 16

@PRAETORIAN.10

Answer 17

i love how this a help site but no one ever really helps cuz they all talking in the chats.

Answer 18

@JoannaBlackwelder

Answer 19

@prettygirl876

Answer 20

ok im here

Answer 21

what do u think

Answer 22

hold on

Answer 23

@everyone! i wish i could do tht

Answer 24

@emma97

Answer 25

kk

Answer 26

@dan815 he might know because i tried but i can't figure it out and its way out of what i learned so im sorry i can't help

Answer 27

he's not on

Answer 28

@TheRaggedyDoctor

Answer 29

he will soon @PRAETORIAN.10

Answer 30

@TheЅmartOne

Answer 31

@e.mccormick

Answer 32

@leonardo0430

Answer 33

yay raggedy doctor!

Answer 34

I REALLY NEED THIS QUESTION!

Answer 35

@ScienceGeek1234

Answer 36

I don't know about chemistry :T sorry

Answer 37

ok... Raggedy wat do u think

Answer 38

@PRAETORIAN.10

Answer 39

@ScienceGeek1234

Answer 40

YAY I NEED A LOT OF HELP ON THIS U ARE MY SAVIOR :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Answer 41

omg no one is coming to help me i literally tagged everyone

Answer 42

@aaronq is the Chemistry master.

Answer 43

he's not on thts the problem :( and i asked praetorian but he didn't come either

Answer 44

He'll be on soon hopefully. (:

Answer 45

lol yea but i don't have all night and this question counts for alot

Answer 46

but whatever can u stay

Answer 47

no one is on this category and only one person comes and they say idk and then leave

Answer 48

@Nnesha

Answer 49

@PRAETORIAN.10

Answer 50

But you see, Aaron is the genius in this subject. But put in some effort in to your question.

Answer 51

@aaronq

Answer 52

Idk, maybe this helps? https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110309140604AAlWUwP

Answer 53

Maybe this: http://www.answerbit.com/explain-why-the-quantum-number-set-3-2--3-is-not-possib-20111121082209AAZ9rN3

Answer 54

Maybe even this: http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/5070680de4b0c2dc83408097

Answer 55

This? :P
http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/50c2bee6e4b066f22e106117

Answer 56

Maybe this might also help you:
http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/5288eeaae4b0b33765120410

Answer 57

Well, take a look at those links, if you still don't understand it, then post what you don't understand, and what you know about this topic, and then just hope that aaronq comes online as soon as possible. :)

Answer 58

ok thanks so much

Answer 59

No problem (:

Answer 60

The values of later quantum numbers depend on the values of earlier quantum numbers. It's for this reason, as you'll see, the combination given in the question is not possible for a ground-state electron. Explanation follows...bear with me :P

The first quantum number, n, is the principal quantum number, which indicates what energy level we're dealing with. In this case, the first quantum number is 3, so we're dealing with the 3rd energy level.

The second quantum number, l, is the azimuthal quantum number, which indicates what energy sublevel within the energy level we're dealing with (e.g. s, p, d...). The possible values of the second quantum number depend on the value of the first quantum number. In fact, l can only take on values between 0 and n-1. Since n was 3 in this case, l can be 0, 1, or 2 (corresponding to s, p, and d). The second quantum number given in the question is 2, which is an allowed value for l.

The third quantum number, m(l), is the magnetic quantum number, which indicates what orbital within the energy sublevel we're dealing with. The possible values of the third quantum number depend on the value of the second quantum number. In fact, m(l) can only take on values from -l to l. Since l in this case was 2, m(l) can be -2, -1, 0, 1, or 2. According to the question, however, the third quantum number is -3, which is NOT an allowed value for m(l) in a ground-state electron. This is why the combination of quantum numbers given does not make sense.

Finally, for completeness, the fourth quantum number, m(s), is the spin quantum number, describes the spin of the electron in the orbital of interest. Every orbital can hold 2 electrons, with one electron having m(s)=-½, and the other electron having m(s)=½. The value of m(s) is always either ½ or -½, so it does not depend on the previous three quantum numbers.

Hope that made sense, but if you have any questions let me know!

Answer 61

Nice answer matt

Answer 62

Haha thanks...hope it's as clear to @tywower as it was to you :P

Answer 63

ok, so you have (n, l, m\(_l\), m\(_s\))
n = your principal quantum number, but n must be positive and greater than 0
l = your angular quantum number, which describes orbital shape, and can be any value from n-1
m\(_l\) can be any number between -l, 0, l
so therefore, if you have
n = 3
\(l\) can be any valye between 0- 2, because remember
l = n-1
and n = 3
3 - 1 = 2

therefore, your m\(_l\) values can range from -2, -1, 0, 1, 2

according to pauli exclusion principle, no two electrons in the same atom can have identical values for all four of their quantum numbers. What this means is that no more than two electrons can occupy the same orbital, and that two electrons in the same orbital must have opposite spins.