Question

Which of the following sets of quantum numbers describe valid orbitals? Check all that apply.

n = 1, l = 0, m = 0

n = 2, l = 1, m = 3

n = 2, l = 2, m = 2

n = 3, l = 0, m = 0

n = 5, l = 4, m = –3

n = 4, l = –2, m = 2

Answer 1

The quantum number n is the main thing. It determines the energy of an electron in an atom. n takes values from 1 to ∞.
The orbital quantum number l characterizes the shape of the orbitals and takes values from 0 to n - 1.
The quantum number m is called magnetic. It determines the spatial arrangement of the atomic orbitals and takes integer values from -l to +l through zero, that is, 2l + 1 values.
Proceeding from this, the correct entries are:
n = 1, l = 0, m = 0;
n = 3, l = 0, m = 0;
n = 5, l = 4, m = –3.
Answer: n = 1, l = 0, m = 0;
n = 3, l = 0, m = 0;
n = 5, l = 4, m = –3.