Question

Explain what each quantum number in a quantum number set tells you about the electron. Compare and contrast the locations and properties of two electrons within an atom that have the quantum number sets (3, 2, -1, +½) and (3, 1, -1, +½).

Answer 1

There are four quantum numbers:
1) Principal quantum number which tells the shell in which the electron is and is an integer number starting from 1. Both of these electrons are in the same shell, the third.

2) Azimuthal quantum number which tells the subshell of the electron. This has a value of an integer starting from 0, 0 being the s orbital. The first electron is in the d orbital due to the number being 2 and the second is in the p orbital due to the number being 1.

3) Magnetic quantum number tells the orbital within the subshell. The first electron is in the -1 orbital of the d subshell (which has values from -2 to 2) and the second is in the -1 orbital of the p subshell (which has values from -1 to 1).

4) Spin quantum number which specifies the spin on the electron, both of the electrons have the same spin.