Question

How to find the four quantum numbers of an element?

Answer 1

n

: the principal quantum number relates to the size of the orbital

l

: the angular quantum number relates the shape of the orbital and ranges from

0

to

n

−

1

m

l

: the magnetic quantum number relates the spatial orientation of the orbital and ranges from

[

−

l

,

l

]

m

s

: the magnetic spin quantum number relates the spin of the electron per orbital

For instance, let's take a look at carbon's electron configuration:

C

:

[

H

e

]

2

s

2

2

p

2

It would contain 2 core electrons, 4 valence electrons, 2 unpaired electrons and three orbitals:

n

:

1

,

2

l

:

0

,

1

m

l

:

[

−

1

,

1

]

m

s

:

1

2

,

−

1

2

the only two it may possess, ever

In more detail, the

1

s

,

and

2

s

orbitals are full of two electrons each, each a sphere in increasing size proportional to

n

. The

2

p

orbital has two unpaired electrons in accordance with Hund's rule, and three spatial orientations.