Quantum Numbers
Quantum Numbers
Quantum Numbers
e
= ?
Recall that de Broglies wavelength of electron
depends on its momentum, = h/(m
e
v). Let us find it,
,
e n e
n
n
m vr n so m v
r
= =
Recall that
( )
2
0
0
,
2
n e
h
r n a so m v
a n t
= =
Thus,
( ) ( )
0
2 8 0.0529 1.33
e
h
a n nm nm
m v
t t = = = =
12 1/16/2014
Quantum Number Summary
The values of n can increase from 1 in integer steps
The values of can range from 0 to n-1 in integer steps
The values of m
can range from - to in integer steps
13 1/16/2014
QUICK QUIZ 2
How many possible orbital states are there for
(a) the n = 3 level of hydrogen? (b) the n = 4 level?
The quantum numbers associated with orbital states are n, , and m
. For a specified
value of n, the allowed values of range from 0 to n 1. For each value of , there
are (2 + 1) possible values of m
.
(a) If n = 3, then = 0, 1, or 2. The number of possible orbital states is then
[2(0) + 1] + [2(1) + 1] + [2(2) + 1] = 1 + 3 + 5 = 9.
(b) If n = 4, one additional value of is allowed ( = 3) so the number of possible
orbital states is now
9 + [2(3) + 1] = 9 + 7 = 16
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Spin Magnetic Quantum Number
It is convenient to think of the
electron as spinning on its axis
The electron is not
physically spinning
There are two directions for
the spin
Spin up, m
s
=
Spin down, m
s
= -
There is a slight energy
difference between the two
spins and this accounts for the
Zeeman effect
15 1/16/2014
Electron Clouds
The graph shows the solution
to the wave equation for
hydrogen in the ground state
The curve peaks at the
Bohr radius
The electron is not
confined to a particular
orbital distance from the
nucleus
The probability of finding the
electron at the Bohr radius is a
maximum
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Electron Clouds
The wave function for
hydrogen in the ground state is
symmetric
The electron can be found
in a spherical region
surrounding the nucleus
The result is interpreted by
viewing the electron as a cloud
surrounding the nucleus
The densest regions of the
cloud represent the highest
probability for finding the
electron
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