Question

Part C

Which of the following set of quantum numbers (ordered n , ℓ , mℓ , ms ) are possible for an electron in an atom?

Check all that apply.

a) 5, 2, 1, -1/2

B) 3, 3, 1, -1/2

C) 4, 2, 1, -1/2

D) 3, 2, 2, -1/2

E) 3, 2, -3, 1/2

F) 2, 1, 0, 1

G) 4, 3, 4, -1/2

H) -1, 0, 0, -1/2

Answer 1

(a) n =5, l=2 , m_l =1 , m_s = -1/2

The above information refers to 5d orbital with electron of spin -1/2 which is possible.

(B) n=3 , l=3 , m_l=1 , m_s=-1/2

Since for n=3 possible values of l = 0,1,2

Since l=3 is given , therefore these set of quantum numbers is not possible.

(C) n = 4 , l =2 ,m_l = 1 , m_s = -1/2

The above information refers to 4d orbital with electron of spin -1/2 which is possible.

(D) n = 3 , l =2 , m_l = 2 , m_s = -1/2

The above information refers to 3d orbital with electron spin of -1/2 which is possible.

(E) n = 3 , l =2 , m_l = -3 , m_s = 1/2

For l =2 possible value of m_l = -2,-1,0,1,2

But m_l = -3 is given , so these set of quantum numbers in not possible.

(F) n =2 , l =1 , m_l = 0 , m_s = 1

The above information refers to 2p orbital with electron spin of 1 but possible values of spin is -1/2 or +1/2. So these set of quantum numbers is not possible.

(G) n=4 , l =3 , m_l =4 , m_s = -1/2

For l =3 possible values of m_l = -3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3

But we are given m_l=4 , so these set of quantum numbers is not possible.

(H) n =-1 , l = 0 , m_l = 0 , m_s = -1/2

n is principal quantum number which can only be a positive number , so n = -1 is not possible.

Therefore these set of quantum numbers is not possible.