In: Chemistry
Which of the following quantum numbers describes the size and energy of
an orbital?
A) principal quantum number
B) spin quantum number
C) angular momentum quantum number
D) magnetic quantum number
Option A, principal quantum number deals with the size of the orbital and the energy level an eectron is placed. It is use to describe the eb=nergy of an electron and the most likely distance the electron has from the nucleus.
Option B, spin quantum number deals with the angluar momentum of an electron. When an electron spins around an axis, it will have both angular momentum and orbital angular momentum. Since angular momentum is a vector, The numbers that makes up the Spin Quantum will have both magnitude and direction.
Option C, angluar momentum quantum number is also known as the secondary quantum number and it deals with the shape of the orbital that the electron occupy. The lowest possible value of orbital l is 0 and the highest possible value can be n-1, however this depends on the principal quantum number.
Option D, magnetic quantum number is use for orbitals that are within a subshell such as s, p, d, or f. It is used too calculate the azimuthal componenet of the orientation of orbital.
Option A, principal quantum number describe the size and energy of an orbital.