Quantum Model of the Atoms

Physical Sciences

Quantum theory explains the mathematical description of the wave properties of

electrons and other small particles. It suggests the probability of finding an electron at a given
place around the nucleus.
This theory is similar to that of Bohr’s observation that electrons do not move just
anywhere around the nucleus. Instead, they exist in certain regions called orbitals – three
dimensional region surrounding the nucleus and represents a probable location of the electrons.
Quantum numbers describe the atomic orbitals as well as the properties of the electrons
in those orbitals.
1. Principal quantum numbers (n)
It indicates the size of the orbital. The bigger the n is, the greater is the average
distance of an electron from the nucleus, and thus, the larger the orbital of an atom. The
principal quantum number also indicates the main energy level occupied by an electron,
and takes on positive integers (1,2,3,…,∞) as values. A shell is composed of a set of
orbitals that have the same principal quantum number.
2. Azimuthal Quantum Number (ℓ)
It corresponds to the shape of the orbital. Allowed values for ℓ include 0 and all
positive integers less than or equal to n-1. Letters are assigned to the orbital based on the
ℓ values. Therefore, ℓ=0 corresponds to an s orbital; ℓ=1 means a p orbital; ℓ=2 means a d
orbital and ℓ=3 is an f orbital.
One or more orbitals with the same values of n and ℓ are known as subshells. For
example, the shell with n=2 has two subshells (ℓ=0 and ℓ=1). These subshells are referred
to as the 2s and 2p subshells. The number “2” refers to n, while s and p refers to the value
of ℓ. Each subshell can accommodate only a certain number of electrons; s=2, p=6, d=10
and f=14.
Here are some of the shapes for s, p, d, and f orbitals:
3. Magnetic Quantum Number (mℓ)
It indicates the orientation of an orbital around the nucleus. For a particular value
of ℓ, there will be (2ℓ+1) possible values of mℓ. Hence, the values of mℓ are integers from -
ℓ to +ℓ, including 0. The number of mℓ values give an idea about the number of orientations
of orbitals belonging to a particular subshell.
4. Spin Quantum Number (ms)
Indicate the spins of the electrons and may have only two possible values, +1/2 and -1/2.
The (+) and (-) signs only refer to the orientation of the spin, and not on the electric charge.
The orientation is normally upward or downward when represented in diagrams.
ACTIVITY #1B. Complete the table below by filling in the possible ℓ, mℓ and ms values.

n ℓ mℓ ms

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Quantum Model of the Atoms
Physical Sciences

Answer Key:

n ℓ mℓ ms
1 0 0 +1/2 or -1/2
0 0 +1/2 or -1/2
2
1 3 +1/2 or -1/2
0 0 +1/2 or -1/2
3 1 3 +1/2 or -1/2
2 5 +1/2 or -1/2
0 0 +1/2 or -1/2
1 3 +1/2 or -1/2
4
2 5 +1/2 or -1/2
3 7 +1/2 or -1/2