Calculating M(L)

[Eliana Carney 3E]

Hey guys! I'm a little confused about how exactly you calculate the possible values for M(L) given L. Just to make sure I'm understanding it correctly, the possible values for M(L) are the range of whole numbers between positive L and negative L? For example, if L=3, the possible values for M(L) are -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3? Thanks in advance!

[Megan Chan 3A]

Yes! You have it right, M(L) ranges from L to negative L.

[Lea Baskin Monk 1F]

Yes, you have it right. The values of M(L) are negative L through positive L. Each number corresponds to a different orientation of the shape described by the angular momentum quantum number. So for n=2, which is the d orbital, M(L) can equal -2,-1, 0, 1, 2. This makes sense as there are 5 different orientations of the d orbital along the x, y, and z-axis.