Answer to Question #71185 in General Chemistry for Martina

Question

Which of the following set of quantum numbers (orders n,l,ml,ms) are possible for an electron in an atom? Check all that apply: A. 2,2,2,1/2...B. 2,1,3,1/2...C. 4,2,-2,1/2...D.-3,2,2,1/2... E. 3,2,-3,1/2F. 3,2,0,-1/2...G. 2,1,0,1 H. 2,1,0,1/2

Answer 1

Few key rules:
1. n – whole number, 1, 2, 3 ….
2. l – can be from 0 to n-1
3. ml – can be only from –l, -l+1 … 0 ... l-1, l
4. ms - can be only -1/2 or +1/2

Check your given walues:
A. 2,2,2,1/2 – l can’t be equal to n
B. 2,1,3,1/2 – ml can’t be more than l
C. 4,2,-2,1/2 – looks ok
D.-3,2,2,1/2 – n can’t be negative
E. 3,2,-3,1/2 - ml can’t be less than -l
F. 3,2,0,-1/2 - looks ok
G. 2,1,0,1 – ms can’t be equal to 1 for electron
H. 2,1,0,1/2 - looks ok

Thus, the answers are:
C. 4,2,-2,1/2
F. 3,2,0,-1/2
H. 2,1,0,1/2