chemistry
quantum numbers
name:
date:
Quantum numbers specify the properties of atomic orbitals and the properties of electrons in orbitals.

Principal Quantum Number (n)
- Indicates the _________________________ occupied by an electron.
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Values of n must be _______________ integers.
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As n increases, e- energy and average distance from nucleus increase.
Ex.) An electron with n=1 has _______________ energy and is _______________ to the
nucleus than an electron with n=5.
-
The n quantum number also sets the __________of the atom.
main energy level
(shell number)
n=1
n=2
n=3
n=4

maximum # of orbitals in that
shell (n2)
maximum # of electrons in
that shell (2n2)
Angular Momentum Quantum Number (l)
- Indicates the _______________ of the orbital.
-
An _______________ is defined as a region around the nucleus that indicates the probable
location of an electron.
-
There are __________ orbital shapes that are commonly studied.
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The value for the l quantum number can be _________________________.
-
Each value for the l quantum number corresponds to a certain orbital shape.
l = 0 corresponds to a(n) ___ orbital shape
l = 2 corresponds to a(n) ___ orbital shape
l = 1 corresponds to a(n) ___ orbital shape
l = 3 corresponds to a(n) ___ orbital shape
energy level
(n)
n=1
n=2
n=3
n=4
# of possible orbital
shapes/subshells (n)
letters of subshells
present in this level
chemistry
quantum numbers
name:
date:
Together, the _____ and _____ quantum numbers determine the energy of a given orbital.
The two numbers n and l taken together represent a _______________.
The subshells are referred to by a number (__________) and a letter s, p, d, and f orbitals (__________).
So, an “s” orbital can occur as 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s…etc. Likewise, “p” orbitals can occur in the 2 nd, 3rd (and so on) energy
levels of the atom and would be described as 2p, 3p…etc.
Some People Don’t Forget…
subshells with this type
of orbital
s
p
# of orbitals in subshell
total # of electrons
possible
d
f

Magnetic Quantum Number (m)
Describes how many ways a given orbital can __________ space.
-
An “s” orbital can fill space in only __________ way. The “p” orbital can fill space in
__________ ways, the “d” __________ ways and the “f” __________ ways.
“s” orbital

“p” orbital
“d” orbital
Spin Quantum Number (+1/2, -1/2)
No two _______________ in the same _______________ can spin in the same direction.
clockwise
counter-clockwise