Sapling #11

[EmilyGillen_1A]

Hi there! As I am going through the rest of the sapling homework I am just struggling to really grasp the concept behind the quantum levels, "n", "l", "m". Could someone help me answer this question/explain the concepts behind the correct answers?

#11. "What quantum numbers specify these subshells?"
a) 1s , n=?, l=?
b) 2p , n=? , l=?
c) 3d , n=?, l=?

I know its n=1, n=2, and n=3, but I am confused on the concepts behind finding the "l" values.

Thank you!

[Ashley Ko 3I]

The quantum number, l, basically represents the different possible subshells, such as s, p, d, and f. The maximum value for l is n-1. For example, when n=3, the maximum value for l is 2 (this makes sense because the n=3 energy level has 3 possible subshells - 3s, 3p, and 3d). There are also some general values of l for each subshell. For instance, for the s-subshell, l = 0. For the p-subshell, l = 1. For the d-subshell, l =2. For the f-subshell, l = 3. I hope this helps!

[Ivy Tan 1E]

Hi Emily!
The response above answered how to find values for n and l. The quantum number m tells you the specific orbital that the electron belongs in. Values of m depend on the values of l: for example, if l=2, m=-2, -1, 0, 1, and 2 and if l=3, m=-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, and 3. In general, the values of m= l, l-1, l-2, .... -l. Hope this was helpful!!

[Kathy_Li_1H]

Hi Emily! l is a quantum number; it is well known to be found with the formula n-1 and essentially describes the sub-shell that the electron is occupying. For example, if the electron is located in 3d, the quantum number l would be 2.

[Olivia Monroy 1A]

Hi! I follows (n-1) describing the subshell the electron is in at a given energy level, n. The maximum value of l is always one under the energy level given. Once you find l you are able to find ml.

[Tobie Jessup 2E]

l values correspond to s, p, d, and f quantum numbers so l=0 is s, l=1 is p, l=2 is d, l=3 is f.

[Callan Howard]

Hi Emily,

I don't know how helpful this is but visualizing the patterns always helps me understand better. take a look at this table :)
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b1/86/8a ... 765b55.jpg