Quantum Theory

Question 1

Principle Quantum Number, n

Answer 1

• the energy level on which the orbital resides
• how far the e- is from the nucleus
• as n increases, orbital gets larger, electron spends more time further from the nucleus

(allowed values: 1, 2, 3, 4… (integers))

Question 2

Azimuthal Quantum Number, l

Answer 2

• defines the shape & energy of the orbital
• values range from 0 to n-1
• letter designations communicate the different values of l, therefore, the shapes & types of orbitals:
  0 = s. 1 = p, 2 = d, 3 = f

Question 3

Magnetic Quantum Number, m

Answer 3

• describes three-dimensional orientation
• values range from -l <= ml <= l

Question 4

Shells + subshells

Answer 4

Orbitals with the same value of n form a shell
Different orbital types within a shell are subshells (same n and l)

Question 5

Shell rules

Answer 5

• shells with principle number n, have n subshells
• Number of orbitals in a subshell = 2l + 1
• Total number of orbitals in a shell = n^2