03Jan 2015 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Atomic Electron Quantum Numbers Overview

Physics
[caption id="attachment_6527" align="alignright" width="440"] 3d(yz) Orbital[/caption] Physicists and physical chemists speak of the four quantum numbers for each one of an atom's electrons: n, l, m, and s. Each of these variables incorporates specific characteristics of any electron orbital. The four quantum numbers are as follows: n: principal quantum number l: angular quantum number m: magnetic quantum number s: spin quantum number The Quantum Numbers: Here's "n" There is good reason to list the numbers in this order. The principal number n tells us an orbital's size. An increase in n moves an electron farther from the nucleus. This move takes energy, just as it takes energy to lift a person under the influence of gravity. Therefore n can be taken to be the energy quantum number. Here's "l" The…
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14Oct 2013 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Electron Structure in Atoms

Physics
[caption id="attachment_4966" align="alignright" width="440"] 4dxz Orbital[/caption] Chemistry is the study of the interactions of atoms, determined largely by the outermost or surface electrons. Electron structure in atoms obeys the laws of quantum mechanics. They do not move randomly as if in some sort of cloud, but are organized into shells, subshells and orbitals. Electron Structure in Atoms Four quantum numbers are responsible for this structure. They are the principal quantum number, the azimuthal quantum number, the magnetic quantum number and the spin quantum number. Principal Quantum Number - Shells The principal quantum number, “n”, must be a positive integer. That is n = 1, 2, 3… This number dictates an electron’s energy level. Electrons fill the lowest energy level first, then the second energy level, the third and so on.…
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