Question

Question #4f95f

Answer 1

Electrons are endowed with spin which is given by the quantum number `m_s = 1/2`.
This is an intrinsic electronic property.

However, as electrons move around the nucleus, they constitute current and hence an associated angular momentum due to their motion around the nucleus in atoms and molecules. This is referred to as the orbital angular momentum which is given by the azimuthal quantum number `l` whose orientations are further specified by magnetic quantum number `m_l`.

Thus, the spin angular momentum is essentially `S = (hm_s)/(2pi)` and can have two possible orientations whereas, the orbital angular momentum `L = (hl)/(2pi)`.