Quantum Numbers

Quantum numbers can be used to describe the trajectory and the movement of an electron in
an atom. The quantum numbers of all the electrons in a given atom, when combined, must
comply with the Schrodinger equation.

Table of Content
 What are Quantum Numbers?
 Recommended Videos on Quantum Numbers
 Principal Quantum Number
 Azimuthal Quantum Number
 Magnetic Quantum Number
 Electron Spin Quantum Number
 Summary
 Solved Examples
 FAQs

1 What are Quantum Numbers?

The set of numbers used to describe the position and energy of the electron in an atom are
called quantum numbers. There are four quantum numbers, namely, principal, azimuthal,
magnetic and spin quantum numbers.

The values of the conserved quantities of a quantum system are given by quantum numbers.
Electronic quantum numbers (the quantum numbers describing electrons) can be defined as a
group of numerical values which provide solutions that are acceptable by the Schrodinger
wave equation for hydrogen atoms.
Four quantum numbers can be used to completely describe all the attributes of a given
electron belonging to an atom, these are:

 Principal quantum number, denoted by n.

 Orbital angular momentum quantum number (or azimuthal quantum number), denoted
by l.
 Magnetic quantum number, denoted by ml.
 The electron spin quantum number, denoted by ms.

The Four Quantum Numbers that Describe an Electron

Principal Quantum Number

 Principal quantum numbers are denoted by the symbol ‘n’. They designate the
principal electron shell of the atom. Since the most probable distance between the
nucleus and the electrons is described by it, a larger value of the principal quantum
number implies a greater distance between the electron and the nucleus (which, in
turn, implies a greater atomic size).
 The value of the principal quantum number can be any integer with a positive value
that is equal to or greater than one. The value n=1 denotes the innermost electron shell
of an atom, which corresponds to the lowest energy state (or the ground state) of an
electron.
 Thus, it can be understood that the principal quantum number, n, cannot have a
negative value or be equal to zero because it is not possible for an atom to have a
negative value or no value for a principal shell.
 When a given electron is infused with energy (excited state), it can be observed that
the electron jumps from one principle shell to a higher shell, causing an increase in the
value of n. Similarly, when electrons lose energy, they jump back into lower shells and
the value of n also decreases.
 The increase in the value of n for an electron is called absorption, emphasizing the
photons or energy being absorbed by the electron. Similarly, the decrease in the value
of n for an electron is called emission, where the electrons emit their energy.

Azimuthal Quantum Number (Orbital Angular

Momentum Quantum Number)
  The azimuthal (or orbital angular momentum) quantum number describes the shape of
a given orbital. It is denoted by the symbol ‘l’ and its value is equal to the total number
of angular nodes in the orbital.
 A value of the azimuthal quantum number can indicate either an s, p, d, or f subshell
which vary in shape. This value depends on (and is capped by) the value of the
principal quantum number, i.e. the value of the azimuthal quantum number ranges
between 0 and (n-1).
 For example, if n =3, the azimuthal quantum number can take on the following values
– 0,1, and 2. When l=0, the resulting subshell is an ‘s’ subshell. Similarly, when l=1
and l=2, the resulting subshells are ‘p’ and ‘d’ subshells (respectively). Therefore,
when n=3, the three possible subshells are 3s, 3p, and 3d.
 In another example where the value of n is 5, the possible values of l are 0, 1, 2, 3, and
4. If l = 3, then there are a total of three angular nodes in the atom.

The allowed subshells under different combinations of ‘n’ and ‘l’ are listed above. It can be
understood that the ‘2d’ orbital cannot exist since the value of ‘l’ is always less than that of
‘n’.

Magnetic Quantum Number

The total number of orbitals in a subshell and the orientation of these orbitals are determined
by the magnetic quantum number. It is denoted by the symbol ‘ml’. This number yields the
projection of the angular momentum corresponding to the orbital along a given axis.

Shapes of Orbitals (as per the corresponding Quantum Numbers)

The value of the magnetic quantum number is dependent on the value of the azimuthal (or
orbital angular momentum) quantum number. For a given value of l, the value of ml ranges
between the interval -l to +l. Therefore, it indirectly depends on the value of n.

For example, if n = 4 and l = 3 in an atom, the possible values of the magnetic quantum
number are -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, and +3.

Azimuthal Quantum Number Corresponding Number of Possible Values of ml

Value Orbitals (2l + 1)
0 (‘s’ subshell) 2*0 + 1 = 1 0
1 (‘p’ subshell) 2*1 + 1 = 3 -1, 0, and 1
2 (‘d’ subshell) 2*2 + 1 = 5 -2, -1, 0, 1, and 2
3 (‘f’ subshell) 2*3 + 1 = 7 -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, and 3

The total number of orbitals in a given subshell is a function of the ‘l’ value of that orbital. It
is given by the formula (2l + 1). For example, the ‘3d’ subshell (n=3, l=2) contains 5 orbitals
(2*2 + 1). Each orbital can accommodate 2 electrons. Therefore, the 3d subshell can hold a
total of 10 electrons.

Electron Spin Quantum Number

 The electron spin quantum number is independent of the values of n, l, and ml. The
value of this number gives insight into the direction in which the electron is spinning,
and is denoted by the symbol ms.
 The value of ms offers insight into the direction in which the electron is spinning. The
possible values of the electron spin quantum number are +½ and -½.
 The positive value of ms implies an upward spin on the electron which is also called
‘spin up’ and is denoted by the symbol ↑. If ms has a negative value, the electron in
question is said to have a downward spin, or a ‘spin down’, which is given by the
symbol ↓.
 The value of the electron spin quantum number determines whether the atom in
question has the ability to produce a magnetic field. The value of ms can be
generalized to ±½.

Summary
In order to simplify the details of the four different quantum numbers that are related to
atomic physics, a tabular column detailing their names, symbols, meanings, and possible
values is provided below.

Name and Symbol Meaning and Possible Values

Principal quantum number, n Electron shell, n ≥ 1
Azimuthal quantum number, l Subshells (s=0, p=1, etc.) , (n-1) ≥ l ≥ 0
Magnetic quantum number, ml Total number and orientation of orbitals,
 l≥ml≥-l
Electron spin quantum number, ms The direction of electron spin, ms = ±½

It is important to note that it is impossible for two electrons of the same atom to have exactly
the same quantum state or exactly the same values of the set of quantum numbers, as per
Hund’s rules.

Solved Examples
What are the Possible Subshells when n = 4? How Many Orbitals are
Contained by Each of these Subshells?

When n = 4, the possible l values are 0, 1, 2, and 3. This implies that the 4 possible subshells
are the 4s, 4p, 4d, and 4f subshells.

 The 4s subshell contains 1 orbital and can hold up to 2 electrons.

 The 4p subshell contains 3 orbitals and can hold up to 6 electrons.
 The 4d subshell contains 5 orbitals and can hold up to 10 electrons.
 The 4f subshell has 7 orbitals and can hold up to 14 electrons.

Thus, a total of 4 subshells are possible for n = 4.

What are the Possible ml values for l = 4?

Since the value of the magnetic quantum number ranges from -l to l, the possible values of ml
when l = 4 are: -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

Who proposed the principal quantum number?

The notion of energy levels and notation has been taken from the atom ‘s earlier Bohr model.
Schrodinger ‘s equation evolved the concept from a two-dimensional flat Bohr atom to a
three-dimensional model for wave motion. Where n = 1 , 2 , 3 is called the main quantity, and
h is the constant of Planck.
Q2

Why are there only 8 electrons in the outer shell?

The stability of an atom ‘s eight-electrons derives from the stability of the noble gases or the
elder term of inert gases, also known as unreactive or noble gases. This law, however, is
justified in the periodic table for second row elements whose outermost-shell capacity is 8
electrons.
Q3

How do you find the principal quantum number?

The principal quantum number n value is the level of the central electronic shell (central
level). All orbitals with the same n value are at the same key stage. All orbitals on the second
main stage , for example, have a principal quantity of n=2.
Q4

What are the principal energy levels?

In chemistry, an electron’s primary energy level refers to the shell or orbital in which the
electron resides relative to the nucleus of the atom. The principal quantum number n denotes
this level. Within a time of the periodic table the first element introduces a new key energy
level.
Q5

Which energy level has the least energy?

There is a single 1s orbital that can accommodate 2 electrons at the lowest energy level, the
one nearest to the atomic core. There are four orbitals at the next energy level; a 2s, 2p1, 2p2
and a 2p3. Each of these orbitals can carry 2 electrons, so we can find a total of 8 electrons at
this energy level.
Q6

What is Quantum Energy?

Quantum, in mechanics, of energy, charge, angular momentum, or other physical property,

discrete natural unit, or bundle. Photons, a concept often applied to quanta with other sources
of electromagnetic radiation such as X rays and gamma rays, are certain particle-like packets
of light.
Q7

What is magnetic Polarisation?

The vector field that represents the density of permanent or induced magnetic dipole moments
in a magnetic medium is magnetization or magnetic polarisation in classical
electromagnetism. A pseudovector M is represented.
Q8

What is the spin of an electron?

A quantum property of electrons is electron spin. It is an angular momentum shape.

Instructors also equate electron spin to the planet rotating on its own axis every 24 hours as a
teaching technique. If the electron spins on its axis clockwise, it is known as spin-up; spin-
down is counterclockwise.