Which four quantum numbers specify an electron state in an atom?

The principal number $n$, angular momentum number $l$, angular momentum projection $m$, and spin projection $m_s$.

What values of $l$ are allowed for a given principal quantum number $n$?

Integer values from $0$ through $n-1$.

What does the Pauli exclusion principle require for electrons in an atom?

No two electrons may have identical values for all four quantum numbers $(n,l,m,m_s)$.

What are valence electrons?

Electrons in an atom’s outer shell that commonly participate in chemical bonding.

General chemistryLesson 2 of 3 in the course Atomic Structure

Electron States, Periodic Patterns, and Chemical Bonding

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces the quantum numbers used to describe electron states and explains why no two electrons in an atom can occupy exactly the same state.

An electron in an atom is described by four quantum numbers: $n$ , $l$ , $m$ , and $m_s$ . The spin quantum number $s$ is $1/2$ for every electron, so it does not distinguish one electron state from another.

All flashcards

Which four quantum numbers specify an electron state in an atom?: The principal number $n$ , angular momentum number $l$ , angular momentum projection $m$ , and spin projection $m_s$ .
What values of $l$ are allowed for a given principal quantum number $n$ ?: Integer values from $0$ through $n-1$ .
What does the Pauli exclusion principle require for electrons in an atom?: No two electrons may have identical values for all four quantum numbers $(n,l,m,m_s)$ .
How many electrons can a subshell with angular momentum quantum number $l$ hold?: At most $4l+2$ electrons.
What are valence electrons?: Electrons in an atom’s outer shell that commonly participate in chemical bonding.

Quiz questions

What does the electron configuration $1s^2 2s^2 2p^3$ indicate?Answer: The atom has seven electrons.
What is the maximum number of electrons in a $d$ subshell?Answer: 10 electrons
How many electrons does a neutral atom with atomic number $Z$ have?Answer: $Z$ electrons
What happens to electrons in a covalent bond?Answer: Atoms share electrons.
Which subshell begins filling before the $3d$ subshell?Answer: $4s$

Based on University Physics Volume 3 by Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny, William Moebs (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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