unit 1a: atomic orbitals and quantum numbers Flashcards
quanta
the fixed amount of energy possessed by electrons within atoms
electrons behave as
standing (stationary) waves in an atom
standing waves
vibrate in time but do not move in space
different sizes and shapes of standing wave
these are possible around the nucleus of an atom and are known as orbitals
orbitals
an area of space where there is a high probability of finding an electron
maximum capacity of an orbital
2 electrons
quantum numbers
define the energy of an electron and give information about its location within an atom
principle quantum number
n
n
describes the energy levels an electron is found in and is related to orbital size
possible values of n
n= 1,2,3 (1st shell, 2nd shell, 3rd shell)
angular momentum quantum number
l
l
describes the shape of the subshell / orbital
possible values of l
l=0 —> n-1
different shapes of orbitals are identified as
s(l=0) , p(l=1) , d(l=2) , f(l=3)
s orbital shape
spherical l=0
p orbital shape
dumbbell l=1
d orbital shape
double dumbbell l=2
magnetic quantum number
ml
ml
describes the orientation in space time of the orbital
possible values of ml
-l —> +l
orbitals increase in energy from
s > p > d > f
degenerate
equal in energy
orbitals within a subshell (i.e. the same shape) are
degenerate
spin magnetic quantum number
ms
ms
describes the direction of electron spin
spins in orbitals
two electrons in the same orbital must have opposite spins
possible values of ms
+1/2 , -1/2