Quantum Numbers

Electrons are in constant motion around the nucleus within the electron cloud. It can be hard to know just where an electron actually is and how it's moving. Because of this, we use quantum numbers to estimate and describe the area a particular electron is moving in and its energy.

In this article, we will be learning all about quantum numbers: what they are, the different types, and how to use them

• This article is about quantum numbers.
• First, we define what a quantum number is.
• Next, we will walk through the different types of quantum number.
• Then, we will learn how to use the periodic table to help assign quantum numbers to electrons.
• Thereafter, we will assign quantum numbers to hydrogen's one electron.
• Lastly, we will summarize the importance of quantum numbers.

Quantum Numbers Definition

When we discuss electrons, according to Schrödinger's model, they can occupy a 3-D space. Electrons occupy spaces called orbitals, and we use quantum numbers to describe these orbitals.

Types of Quantum Numbers

There are four types of quantum numbers, these are:

• Principal quantum number (n)
  • Describes the energy level or "shell"
  • n cannot be 0
  • The allowed values of n are 1,2,3,... and so on.

• The angular quantum number (\(l\))
  • Describes the shape of the orbital
  • The allowed values of l are 0,1,2..(n-1)

• The magnetic quantum number (\(m_l\))
  • Determines the number of orbitals in a subshell and their orientation
  • The allowed values are from \(-l\) to \(+l\)

• The electronic spin quantum number (m_s)
  • Gives direction of spin
  • Possible values are +1/2 and -1/2

Let's break these numbers down a bit more.

The Principal Quantum Number

The principal quantum number essentially tells us how far an electron is from the nucleus. Electrons exist in different energy states called "shells". The lowest energy state (or ground state) is n=1.

Below is an example diagram:

Fig.1-General diagram of n

When electrons have enough energy, they can "jump" from one level to another. This new state is called the "excited state". This increase is called absorption since the electron is absorbing energy

When electrons lose energy, they will go down a level. This is called emission, since the electron is emitting energy to lose it.

The Angular Quantum Number

The angular quantum number tells us the shape of our orbital. The possible values are:

• \(l=0\)
  • s-orbital
  • Has 1 suborbital, which can contain up to two electrons
• \(l=1\)
  • p-orbital
  • Has 3 suborbitals, each can contain up to two electrons for a max of 6 total
• \(l=2\)
  • d-orbital
  • Has 5 suborbitals, each can contain up to two electrons for a max of 10 total
• \(l=3\)
  • f-orbital
  • Has 7 suborbitals, each can contain up to two electrons for a max of 14 total

Below is an example of each orbital type with their different sub-orbitals:

Fig.2- The different orbital shapes

As you can see, there are many different shapes!

We'll touch on this more later, but the value of \(l\) is dependent on n. The maximum value of \(l\) is n-1, so if an electron exists in the n=3 energy level, it cannot be in an f-orbital, but it can be in an s-,p-, or d-orbital.

So let's say we know that we have an electron is in a 3p orbital (n=3, \(l=1\)). How can we tell which p-orbital the electron is in (i.e. p_x, p_y, or p_z)? That's where magnetic quantum number comes in!

The Magnetic Quantum Number

The magnetic quantum number tells us the orientation of an orbital with a given n and \(l\) value. This value range from \(-l\) to \(+l\), with the total number of possible orbitals being equal to \(2l+2\).

For example, for a p-orbital (\(l=1\)), there are 3 (\(2(1)+1=3\)) possible sub-orbitals, with the possible values being -1 (\(-l\)), 0, and +1 (\(+l\)).

The Electronic Spin Quantum Number

The (electronic) spin quantum number tells us the orientation of the spin axis. This number is based on the Pauli exclusion principle.

Quantum Numbers and the Periodic Table

Figuring out quantum numbers can be difficult, but don't fear, the periodic table is here to help!

When we use quantum numbers, we often only look at the first two (n and \(l\)). This is related to Electron Configuration.

Below is what an electron configuration table looks like:

The above table tells us what orbital is being filled at that point. Everything to the left and above it has already been filled.

Essentially, every (neutral) element has a set number of electrons. These electrons start filling the lowest energy orbitals, then, once that orbital is filled, move on to the next energy level orbital until we "run out" of electrons.

The energy of the orbitals are as follows:

1s<2s<2p<3s<3p<4s<3d<4p<5s<4d<5p... and so on

For example, let's look at carbon. Carbon is the 6th element, so it has 6 electrons. First, two electrons fill up the 1s orbital. That leaves us with 4 electrons. The next two electrons fill up the 2s orbital, leaving us with 2 electrons. This means they will start to, but not fill, the 2p suborbitals.

So the electron configuration for carbon is:

1s²2s²2p²

But what about the other two quantum numbers?

Well, using the electron configuration, we can fill out an orbital diagram, which will tell us the other two number.

Fig.5-Carbon orbital diagram

According to the Aufbau principle, orbitals much be singly occupied before being doubly occupied. Which is why the two of the three 2p-suborbitals have one electron instead of them being paired within 1 orbital.Using the orbital diagram, we can determine \(m_l\) for a given electron. For m_s, the standard is that single electrons have a +1/2 spin, while the paired electron has a -1/2 spin. In actuality, spin is a bit complex, so the main thing to remember is that electrons in the same orbital will have opposite spin.

Quantum Numbers of Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the simplest of the elements. Because of this, it's pretty easy to determine the quantum numbers since there is only one electron!

As I mentioned earlier, m_s is a bit complex, so we are only going to focus on the other three.

Using the electron configuration table, we know that hydrogen's electron is in the 1s orbital (n=1, \(l=0\)). Since \(l\) is 0, that also means \(m_l\) is zero, since s-orbitals only have one possible orientation.

Significance of Quantum Numbers

Electrons are tricky things. They are in constant motion in and, according to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, we can't know both an electron's position and velocity. To truly understand an electron, it requires quantum mechanics, and a lot of complex math!

Thankfully, we can use quantum numbers to estimate certain properties of electrons, such as:

• Determining electron configuration
• Estimating the probable location/orientation of an electron
• Describing the energy of an electron