In the quantum-mechanical model of an atom, the state of an electron is described by four quantum numbers, not just the one predicted by Bohr
Niels Bohr
Niels Henrik David Bohr was a Danish physicist who made foundational contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum theory, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922. Bohr was also a philosopher and a promoter of scientific research.
What are the four quantum numbers?
They are:
- PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER (n) - Represents the main energy level, or shell, occupied by an electron. ...
- SECONDARY QUANTUM NUMBER (l ) - Represents the energy sublevel, or type of orbital, occupied by the electron. ...
- MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER (ml ) - Represents the number of possible orientations in 3-D space for each type of orbital. ...
What are the rules of quantum numbers?
What Are The Rules For Electron Configuration?
- Quantum Numbers. These are a set of 4 numbers that together define the position of each individual electron in the atom.
- Aufbau Principle. ...
- Hund’s Rule of Maximum Multiplicity. ...
- Pauli’s Exclusion Principle. ...
What do each of the quantum numbers mean?
There are four quantum numbers:
- n - principal quantum number: describes the energy level
- ℓ - azimuthal or angular momentum quantum number: describes the subshell
- m ℓ or m - magnetic quantum number: describes the orbital of the subshell
- m s or s - spin quantum number: describes the spin
What are some examples of quantum numbers?
There are four quantum numbers:-
- Principal quantum number (n) : It defines the main shell to which an electron belongs. It generally tells the size of the orbital. ...
- Azimuthal quantum number (l) : It tells us the number of subshells present in the main shell and the orbital to which an electron belongs. ...
- Magnetic quantum number (m) : It informs the level of degenera

What is the energy level quantum number?
The first is the energy level quantum number, n. In an orbit, lower energy orbits are close to the source of attraction. The more energy you give a body in orbit, the further 'out' it goes. If you give the body enough energy, it will leave the system entirely. The same is true for an electron orbital. Higher values of n mean more energy ...
What is the second quantum number?
The second quantum number is the angular quantum number, ℓ. Each value of n has multiple values of ℓ ranging in values from 0 to (n-1).This quantum number determines the 'shape' of the electron cloud. In chemistry, there are names for each value of ℓ. The first value, ℓ = 0 called an s orbital. s orbitals are spherical, centered on the nucleus. The second, ℓ = 1 is called a p orbital. p orbitals are usually polar and form a teardrop petal shape with the point towards the nucleus. ℓ = 2 orbital is called a d orbital. These orbitals are similar to the p orbital shape, but with more 'petals' like a cloverleaf. They can also have ring shapes around the base of the petals. The next orbital, ℓ=3 is called an f orbital. These orbitals tend to look similar to d orbitals, but with even more 'petals'. Higher values of ℓ have names that follow in alphabetical order.
What does the shape of an electron depend on?
The shape of the cloud, or orbital, depended on the amount of energy, angular momentum and magnetic moment of the individual electron. The properties of an atom's electron configuration are described by four quantum ...
What are the four numbers in an atom?
These four numbers, n, ℓ, m, and s can be used to describe an electron in a stable atom. Each electron's quantum numbers are unique and cannot be shared by another electron in that atom. This property is called the Pauli Exclusion Principle. A stable atom has as many electrons as it does protons. The rules the electrons follow to orient themselves ...
What is the first value of an orbital?
The first value, ℓ = 0 called an s orbital. s orbitals are spherical, centered on the nucleus. The second, ℓ = 1 is called a p orbital. p orbitals are usually polar and form a teardrop petal shape with the point towards the nucleus. ℓ = 2 orbital is called a d orbital.
What does higher value of n mean?
Higher values of n mean more energy for the electron and the corresponding radius of the electron cloud or orbital is further away from the nucleus. Values of n start at 1 and go up by integer amounts. The higher the value of n, the closer the corresponding energy levels are to each other.
What is the shape of the electrons in space?
The ℓ quantum number dictates the general shape of electron distribution in space (Figure 8.19 “Electron Orbitals”). As shown in part (a), any s orbital is spherically symmetric, and there is only one orbital in any s subshell. Part (b) shows that any p orbital has a two-lobed, dumbbell-like shape; because there are three of them, we normally represent them as pointing along the x -, y -, and z -axes of Cartesian space. In part (c), we see that d orbitals are four-lobed rosettes; they are oriented differently in space (the one labelled dz2 has two lobes and a torus instead of four lobes, but it is equivalent to the other orbitals). When there is more than one possible value of mℓ, each orbital is labelled with one of the possible values. It should be noted that the diagrams in Figure 8.19 are estimates of the electron distribution in space, not surfaces electrons are fixed on.
Is n an integer?
The quantum number n is an integer, but the quantum number ℓ must be less than n, which it is not. Thus, this is not an allowed set of quantum numbers.
Is a principal quantum number a whole number?
The principal quantum number is restricted to being a positive whole number.
What is the magnetic quantum number?
The magnetic quantum number (m) can be any integer between -land +l. If l= 2, mcan be either -2, -1, 0, +1, or +2.
How many orbitals are there in the n=2 shell?
There are four orbitals in the n= 2 shell.
Can a quantum number be zero?
The principal quantum number (n) cannot be zero. The allowed values of nare therefore 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. The angular quantum number (l) can be any integer between 0 and n- 1. If n= 3, for example, lcan be either 0, 1, or 2. The magnetic quantum number (m) can be any integer between -land +l.
What are Quantum Numbers?
These numbers are called Quantum Numbers. The quantum numbers are the set of four numbers that give complete information about
How many electrons are in an orbital?
Each orbital is associated with a fixed number of electrons. E.g. the maximum number of electrons present in s, p, d, and f subshells are 2, 6, 10, and 14 respectively.
What is electron configuration?
Ans.1 An Electron configuration is an arrangement of electrons in various shells, subshell, and orbitals of an atom. Quantum numbers give all the required information for electron configuration.
What orbitals do electrons start in?
Since there are three p, five d, and seven f orbitals, therefore, the pairing of electrons will start in the p, d and f orbitals with the entry of 4th, 6th, and 8th electrons.
What are the orbitals of different and definite energies in which the electrons revolve called?
The orbitals or paths of different and definite energies in which the electrons revolve are called shells.
What is the role of electrons in subatomic chemistry?
It plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of an atom when it bonds with other atoms. Each electron in an atom is unique.
Which principle restricts the number of electrons to be filled in various orbitals?
The number of electrons to be filled in various orbitals is restricted by the Pauli exclusion principle.
What is the magnetic quantum number?
The magnetic quantum number (m) can be any integer between -land +l. If l= 2, mcan be either -2, -1, 0, +1, or +2.
How many orbitals are there in the n=2 shell?
There are four orbitals in the n= 2 shell.
Can a quantum number be zero?
The principal quantum number (n) cannot be zero. The allowed values of nare therefore 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. The angular quantum number (l) can be any integer between 0 and n- 1. If n= 3, for example, lcan be either 0, 1, or 2. The magnetic quantum number (m) can be any integer between -land +l.
How many quantum numbers are there in an atom?
The 4 quantum numbers: In atoms, there are a total of 4 quantum numbers: the principal quantum number (n), the angular momentum quantum number (l), the magnetic quantum number (ml), and the electron spin quantum number (ms). Principal quantum number (n): The principal quantum number describes the electron shell, or energy level, of an electron.
What is the principal quantum number?
Principal quantum number (n): The principal quantum number describes the electron shell, or energy level, of an electron. The value of n ranges from 1 to the shell of the outermost electron of that atom. The values of n = 1, 2, 3,...
What is the quantum number of electron spin?
The electron spin quantum number can only have 2 values: -1/2 and +1/2. 1/2 describes the magnitude and +/- provides information on the direction of spin. Following Hund's rule, electrons enter unoccupied orbitals of equal energy before completely filling an orbital.
What is the final number of the last valence electron in calcium?
Step 5: Final List the quantum numbers for the last valence electron in Calcium: (4, 0, 0, -1/2) .
How to find the principal quantum number of an element?
The principal quantum number can be determined by looking at the period (numbered row) of the element on the periodic table . The principal quantum numbers of electrons in the S-block and P-block are the same as the period number. The principal quantum number of electrons in the D-block is period minus 1. The principal quantum number of electrons in the F-block is period minus 2.
Which orbitals have angular momentum?
Electrons in P-orbitals have an angular momentum quantum number of 1. Electrons in D-orbitals have an angular momentum quantum number of 2. Electrons in F-orbitals have an angular momentum quantum number of 3. The values of l= 0 to (n-1).
How many atomic numbers does calcium have?
Step 1: Find Calcium on the Periodic Table. It has an atomic number of 20.

First Quantum Number
Second Quantum Number
Third Quantum Number
- The third quantum number is the magnetic quantum number, m. These numbers were first discovered in spectroscopy when the gaseous elements were exposed to a magnetic field. The spectral line corresponding to a particular orbit would split into multiple lines when a magnetic field would be introduced across the gas. The number of split lines would be related to the angul…
Fourth Quantum Number
- The fourth quantum number is the spin quantum number, s. There are only two values for s, +½ and -½. These are also referred to as 'spin up' and 'spin down'. This number is used to explain the behavior of individual electrons as if they were spinning in a clockwise or counterclockwise. The important part to orbitals is the fact that each value of mhas two electrons and needed a way to …
Relating Quantum Numbers to Electron Orbitals
- These four numbers, n, ℓ, m, and s can be used to describe an electron in a stable atom. Each electron's quantum numbers are unique and cannot be shared by another electron in that atom. This property is called the Pauli Exclusion Principle. A stable atom has as many electrons as it does protons. The rules the electrons follow to orient themselves ...
For Review
- ncan have whole number values: 1, 2, 3, ...
- For every value of n, ℓ can have integer values from 0 to (n-1)
- mcan have any whole number value, including zero, from -ℓ to +ℓ
- scan be either +½ or -½