General Question on Quantum Numbers

[Jacqueline Duong 1D]

Hi!
I just wanted to clarify what exactly quantum numbers are describing/would be identifying: it should describe a specific electron correct? For example, you wouldn't find the quantum numbers of Fe, but you could find it for Fe 3d^6 correct?

Also, would the spin magnetic quantum number be based solely on the spin of the last electron?

Thank you!

[Chem_Mod]

Hello Jacqueline,

You are correct. Quantum numbers are similar to a "bookkeeping" method for us to identify a specific electron for an element in its ground state. This serves to explain why no two electrons can have the same quantum numbers. You can also think of the four numbers (n, l, ml, ms) as a barcode to identify electrons.

Also, yes, the magnetic spin quantum number describes the spin: +1/2 or -1/2.

[Sonia Virk 2A]

The quantum numbers we will be expected to know are (n, l, ml, ms)
Yes the spin is the spin of the last electron in the configuration and it will determine if it is +1/2 or -1/2