Question

Electronic configurations follow from the principle quantum numbers n, l, m, and s. What is the relationship with n and the periodic table? What is the relationship with n and the number of valance electrons? The ‘l ’ quantum number designates the type of orbital. What is an orbital? Do electrons have to stay in their designated orbital? The ‘m’ quantum number gives the degeneracy of the orbital type. Is there a difference in the px and py orbitals? Why does the spinning of the two electrons sharing an orbital have to be opposite. Are electrons really spinning?

Answer 1

What is the relationship with n and the periodic table?

There is no direct relation between two. The principal quantum number (n) describes the size of the orbital. It indirectly refelcts the energy of orbitals.

For 3S orbital is bigger than 2S orbital thus 3S has relatively energetic.

What is the relationship with n and the number of valance electrons?

As mentioned above, n can describe the energy of orbital. So, it can expalin the idea how stable an atom can be. The larger n values make atoms more unstable

What is an orbital?

Orbital is the region around the nucleus in which the probability of finding an electron is high. It is a basically a mathematical function that describes wave-like behavior of electron.

Do electrons have to stay in their designated orbital?

The electrons are never in a single point location. The probability of finding an electron at a point is described by the wave function and it is high (about 95%) in orbital. However, we can not however completely rule out the presnce of elctrons in the other areas.

Is there a difference in the px and py orbitals?

There are same except that they are oriented in different directions, px along X-axis and py along Y-axis.