Angular momentum quantum number

Thread starter protractor
Start date Apr 12, 2019
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Angular Angular momentum Momentum Quantum Quantum number

In summary, the angular momentum quantum number (l) is used to describe the shape of an electron's orbital in an atom and is determined by the principal quantum number (n). It is equal to the orbital angular momentum in units of h/2π and affects the energy of an electron by determining the size and shape of its orbital. The possible values of l range from 0 to n-1, depending on the value of n.

Apr 12, 2019

protractor

Homework Statement: A hydrogen atom orbital has n=5 and ml=-2. What are the possible values of l for this orbital?

Relevant Equations: n=5 ml=-2

n is the principal quantum number.
l is the angular momentum quantum number.
m_l is the magnetic quantum number.

The possible values of l are 2, 3, and 4. I'm not sure if l can be equal to 4.

On the answer key, it shows l = 2, 3.

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Apr 13, 2019

Borek

Mentor

protractor said:

I'm not sure if l can be equal to 4.

Values it can take are very precisely specified, have you checked what does the specification say?

Related to Angular momentum quantum number

1. What is the Angular Momentum Quantum Number?

The Angular Momentum Quantum Number, denoted as l, is a quantum number that describes the shape of an electron's orbital in an atom. It determines the subshell in which the electron is located and ranges from 0 to n-1, where n is the principal quantum number.

2. How is the Angular Momentum Quantum Number related to the shape of an orbital?

The Angular Momentum Quantum Number is related to the shape of an orbital through its value. The value of l determines the type of orbital, with l = 0 representing an s-orbital, l = 1 representing a p-orbital, l = 2 representing a d-orbital, and so on.

3. How does the Angular Momentum Quantum Number affect the energy of an electron?

The Angular Momentum Quantum Number does not directly affect the energy of an electron. However, it indirectly affects the energy through its relationship with the principal quantum number and the effective nuclear charge, which determine the energy levels of an electron in an atom.

4. Can the Angular Momentum Quantum Number have a negative value?

No, the Angular Momentum Quantum Number cannot have a negative value. It is always a positive integer ranging from 0 to n-1, where n is the principal quantum number. This is because it represents the number of angular nodes in an orbital, and a negative value would not make physical sense.

5. How does the Angular Momentum Quantum Number change as the energy level increases?

The Angular Momentum Quantum Number increases as the energy level increases. This is because as the energy level increases, the number of possible subshells also increases, and the Angular Momentum Quantum Number represents the different subshells in an atom. Therefore, the maximum value of l increases with increasing energy level.