1.3 - Development of quantum theory Flashcards
What does “n” represent & describe when talking about an atom?
“n” represents the ‘Principal’ Quantum Number and describes the ‘energy and size’ of an atoms shell.
As “n” increases:
The energy and size of an atoms shell ‘increases’.
What numeric values can “n” be?
“n” can only be a positive intiger, and “n” cannot be 0.
What is a subshell?
A subshell is a specific energy level in an atom, represented by the “n” value.
For example, ‘n = 1’ describes a lower energy subshell and ‘n = 2’ describes a higher energy subshell.
Note: An atoms entire shell is typically described by its highest energy level subshell. If an atom is ‘n = 4’ energy level, it has subshells 1, 2, 3, and 4. However the entire energy level of that atom is described by ‘n = 4’.
What does “l” represent & describe when talking about an atom?
“l” represents the ‘Orbital Angular Momentum’ quantum number and describes the ‘orbital shape’ of an atoms subshells.
What are the possible numeric “l” values? What about the possible numeric values for “l” in relation to “n”?
“l” can only be a positve intiger, including 0. In relation to “n”, “l” can be all values until ‘n-1’ starting from 0.
Example: if ‘n = 4’, the only possible values “l” can be are ‘l = 0, 1, 2, and 3’.
What are the letters corresponding each “l” value? What are the shapes of ‘l = 0’ and ‘l = 1’?
‘l = 0’ represents the “s” orbital, ‘l = 1’ represents the “p” orbital, ‘l = 2’ represents the “D” orbital and ‘l = 3’ represents the “f” orbital.
The shape of ‘l = 0’ or the “s” orbital is a sphere. The shape of ‘l = 1’ or the “p” orbital is a dumbell.
What are the odds of an electron being an an orbitals shape?
Around 90%.
How many electrons can the “s” and “p” orbitals hold?
The “s” orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons (e-) and the “p” orbital can hold a mazimum of 6 electrons (e-).
What does “m_l” represent & describe when talking about an atom?
“m_l” represents the ‘Magnetic’ quantum number and describes the ‘orientation’ of an atoms orbital within a given subshell.
What are the possible numeric “m_l” values? What about the possible numeric values for “m_l” in relation to “l”?
The possible numeric values for “m_l” can be from any intiger. In realtion to “l”, “m_l” can be anything from ‘m_l = -l, …, 0, …, l’.
Example: if ‘l = 2, then “m_l” will be ‘m_l = -2, -1, 0, 1, 2’.
How do the “m_l” values relate to the axis?
The number of “m_l” values dictates the number of different orientations an orbital can have.
Example: If we had a “p” orbital, since ‘p = 1’ we would have ‘m_l = -1, 0, 1’, meaning there would be 1 orbital on each axis. So “p_x”, “p_y” and “p_z” orbitals.
What does “m_s” represent & describe when talking about an atom?
“m_s” represents the ‘Electron Spin’ and describes the ‘spin’ of an electron within a given orbital.
What are the types of spins an electron can have?
The spin can be +1/2 which represents an up spin, or -1/2 which represents a down spin.
