which of the following set of quantum numbers (ordered n,l,ml,ms) are possible for an electron in an atom?

3 Answers

• The answer to your question is determined by using the definitions of the 4 quantum numbers.

  n = 1, 2, 3, …, n

  l = 0 to n − 1 >> This includes all possible values up to n-1.

  ml = all values from -l to +l >> example if l = 2 them ml = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2

  ms = +1/2 and -1/2

  -3,2,2,-1/2 >> not possible because n cannot be negative.

  4,3,-4,-1/2 >> not possible because ml must be from -3 to +3 by definition.

  5,3,0,1/2 >> This is possible according to all of the definitions.

  2,1,0,1 >> This is not possible because ms can equal only +1/2 and -1/2

  2,2,2,1/2 >> This is not possible. l cannot equal n.

  4,2,-2,1/2 >> This is a possible configuration.

  3,2,2,-1/2 >> This is a possible configuration.

  2,1,3,1/2 >> This is not possible. ml cannot be greater than n or l.

  Hope this is helpful to you. JIL HIR

• Possible Sets Of Quantum Numbers

• yes 3, 2, 2, -1/2

  yes 5, 3, 0, 1/2

  4, 3, -4, -1/2

  2, 4, 1, -1/2

  -2, 1, 0, -1/2

  yes 3, 1, 0, -1/2

  2, 1, 0, -1

  2, 1, 3, 1/2

  the rest are no unless it says yes

  Source(s): MC