Label the orbital with the following quantum numbers?

1)n=5 l=0
2)n=4 l=2
3)n=2 l=1
4)n=3 l=0
5)n=6 l=2
6)n=7 l=1

1 Answer
Nov 21, 2015

Here's what I got.

Explanation:

If I understand your question correctly, you need to take those pairs of quantum numbers and specify the orbital that matches those values.

The problem with that lies with the fact that specific orbitals are determined by the value of the magnetic quantum number, m_lml, for which you have no values given.

So I assume that you have to name all the orbitals that can share each of those pairs of quantum numbers.

![figures.boundless.com](useruploads.socratic.org)

Now, the principal quantum number, nn, tells you the energy level on which a specific electron resides.

The angular momentum quantum number, ll, tells you the subshell in which that electron resides. The values of ll correspond to the following subshells

  • l=0 ->l=0 the s-subshell
  • l=1 ->l=1 the p-subshell
  • l=2 ->l=2 the d-subshell
  • l=3 ->l=3 the f-subshell

Now, the number of orbitals each subshell can hold depends on the possible values of m_lml.

Without the value of m_lml, you cannot say exactly which orbital holds the electron.

For example, the fist pair has n=4n=4 and l=0l=0. These two quantum numbers correspond to an electron located on the fourth energy level, in the 4s-subshell.

In this particular case, m_lml can only take one possible value, m_l = 0ml=0. This means that you electron will be located in the 4s4s orbitals.

I'll show you the next two pairs, so that you can solve the last three pairs as practice.

For n=4n=4 and l=2l=2, the energy level is the same as before. This time, however, the subshell will be different.

More specifically, this electron will reside in the 4d-subshell, since it has l=2l=2. Now, the possible values of m_lml are

  • m_l = -2 ->ml=2 this is the 4d_(x^2-y^2)4dx2y2 orbital
  • m_l = -1 ->ml=1 this is the 4d_z^24d2z orbital
  • m_l = 0 ->ml=0 this is the 4d_(xy)4dxy orbital
  • m_l = 1 ->ml=1 this is the 4d_(xz)4dxz orbital
  • m_l = 2 ->ml=2 this is the 4d_(yz)4dyz orbital

Therefore, a total of five orbitals can share the quantum nubmers n=4n=4 and l=2l=2.

Finally, for n=2n=2 and l=1l=1, you have the second energy level and the 2p-subshell.

The values of m_lml for this subshell are

  • m_l = -1 ->ml=1 this is the 2p_x2px orbital*
  • m_l = 0 ->ml=0 this is the 2p_y2py orbital
  • m_l = 1 ->ml=1 this is the 2p_z2pz orbital

Therefore, a total of three orbitals can share the quantum numbers n=2n=2 and l=1l=1.