Question

Write the correct set of four quantum numbers for the valency electron of potassium

Answer 1

the electronic configuration of potassium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹

the valence electron is in the 4th shell

⇒ principal quatum number (n) = 4

the subshell of the 4th shell is s

⇒azimuthal quantum numbe(l) for s is 0

magnetic quantum number(m) is given by 2l + 1 as l = 0 ⇒ m = 1

spin quantum number determines the spin of the electron

as 4s¹ is the 1st electron of the s orbital the spin is +1/2

the four quantum numbers of valence electron in potassium are 4, 0, 1, +1/2