SOME THINGS FOR REVIEW

Quantum Numbers:
n = Principal Quantum Number (average distance of particular shell to nucleus)
l = Angular Momentum Quantum Number (shape of orbital from 0 to (n-1))
0 s , 1 p , 2 d , 3 f , 4 g , 5 h and vice versa
ml = Magnetic Quantum Number (orientation of orbital in space 2l + 1)
If l = 0, ml = 0
`
If l = 1, ml = 2(1) + 1 = 3 -1, 0, 1
If l = 2, ml = 2(2) + 1 = 5 -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 and vice versa
ms = Electron Spin Quantum Number (+ or )
Total number of orbitals for a given number of n is n2
Total number of electrons for a given number of n is 2n2
Shells can also be designated as capital letters (K = 1, L = 2, M = 3 and vice versa)

Worksheet #1 (Quantum Numbers)

The following statements define or are closely related to the terms shell, subshell or orbital. Match the
terms to the appropriate statements.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

In terms of electron capacity, this unit is the smallest of the three

This unit may contain a maximum of two electrons
This unit may contain as many or more electrons as/than either of the other two
The subenergy level is closely associated with this unit
This unit may be designated by either a number or capital letter
The formula 2n2 gives the maximum number of electrons that may occupy this unit
This unit is designated in the same way as the orbitals that comprise it

ORBITAL
ORBITAL
SHELL
SUBSHELL (???)
SHELL
SHELL
SUBSHELL

Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false

1. An orbital has a definite size and shape, which are related to the energy of
contain
2. The M and n = 3 shells are one and the same
3. All of the orbitals in a subshell have the same energy
4. All of the subshells in a shell have the same energy
5. A 2p and 3p subshell would contain the same number of orbitals
6. A d subshell always contains five orbitals
7. An s orbital is shaped like a four-leaf clover
8. The n = 3 shell can accommodate a maximum of 18 electrons
9. The fourth shell is made up of six subshells
10. All subshells accommodate the same number of electrons

the electrons it could

FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE

Give the maximum number of electrons that may occupy each of the following units
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

2p subshell
Third shell
4f subshell
2p orbital
L shell
4f orbital

6 electrons
18 electrons
14 electrons
2 electrons
8 electrons
2 electrons

What are the allowed quantum number values in each of the following situations?

1.
2.
3.
4.

Values
Values
Values
Values

of
of
of
of

l when n = 4
ml when l = 3
ml when n = 2
ms when l = 2

0, 1, 2, 3
-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3
0 and -1, 0, 1
+ , - (???)

Give the values of n and l for the following subshells:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

2s
2p
4f
3d
6p
7s
4d
5f

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

= 2,
= 2,
= 4,
= 3,
= 6,
= 7,
= 4,
= 5,

l=
l=
l=
l=
l=
l=
l=
l=

0
1
3
2
1
0
2
3

The following sets of four quantum numbers (n, l, ml and ms) each describe an electron in an atom. What
are the shell and subshell designations for each set?
1.
2.
3.
4.

(2,0,0,-)
(3,1,1,-)
(3,1,-1,)
(5,3,2,-)

2s
3p
3p
5f

What is the maximum number of electrons that an atom can have with each of the following quantum
number specifications?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

n
n
n
n
n
n

= 4,
= 4,
= 3,
= 3,
= 3,
= 2,

l=0
l=2
l = 2, ml = 2
ms = -
ml = 1
l = 0, ml = 0, ms = -

2
10
2
9
4
1