## explanation of ml

Posts: 55
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:38 pm

### explanation of ml

Hi! Could someone explain to me what ml is? I thought that it was the spin that an electron has but I think that might be incorrect. I also get confused how to calculate it, if for example n=2 and l=2. Thank you!

Lea Chamoun 2J
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Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:52 pm
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### Re: explanation of ml

ml is the magnetic quantum number. It tells us about the different orbitals that are in each sub shell. If l=1, then describes the p-orbital. So ml could be -1, 0, and 1. These 3 numbers correspond to the 3 orientations in the p-orbital: px, py, pz. Since the d-orbital (l=2) has 5 orbitals in the sub shell, ml can be these 5 values: -2, -1, 0, 1, 2

Daria Obukhova 2B
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:50 pm

### Re: explanation of ml

So ml represents the orbitals. The s sublevel has 1, p has 3, d has 5, and f has 7. Each orbital has space for two electrons so an easy way to remind yourself how many orbitals there are in a sublevel is to count the elements on the periodic table and divide by two. For example, in the 2 row, in the p sublevel we have B, C, N, O, F, Ne. That's a total of 6, then you divide by 2 and get 3.

s=0
p=-1 0 +1
d=-2 -1 0 +1 +2
f=-3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3

Halle Villalobos 3E
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:52 pm

### Re: explanation of ml

Hi! $m_l$ is the magnetic quantum number that labels different orbitals of a subshell (gives the orientation of the angular momentum). It has the allowed values of $l, l-1, ..., -l$. There are $2l+1$ different values of $m_l$ for a given value of $l$ and therefore $2l+1$ orbitals in a subshell of quantum number $l$. I hope this helps!

Heidi Buri 2I
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:57 pm

### Re: explanation of ml

Hi! I believe that ml provides information on the orientation of an orbital. This orientation is depended on n and l (n being the energy level and l being she shape). For orbital shapes, there are different orientations. The ml value will give the orientation of a specific shape in an energy level.