OluchiDelly:
.

Quantum numbers QN are nos which describe electron(s) with respect to its atomic orbital /shell.
There are 4 of them:
Principal quantum number (PQN)
azimuthal or subsidiary quantum number AQN
magnetic Quantum number MQN
spin quantum number SQN

I will be talking on each in segments so as not to be too boring while reading. Watch out for the next segment.

OluchiDelly:
.

Quantum numbers QN are nos which describe electron(s) with respect to its atomic orbital /shell.
There are 4 of them:
Principal quantum number (PQN)
azimuthal or subsidiary quantum number AQN
magnetic Quantum number MQN
spin quantum number SQN

I will be talking on each in segments so as not to be too boring while reading. Watch out for the next segment.

Geofavor:

hi

what exactly about them is giving you problems? What don't you know about them?

OluchiDelly:
2. azimuthal quantum no. It is denoted by i. It describes the NUMBER /TYPE/SHAPE OF ORBITAL that can be found in a given energy level(PQN). i ranges from 0,1,2,3...
0 implies s-orbital, shape=spherical
1 implies p-orbital, shape=dumbbell
2 implies d-orbital, shape=double dumbbell
3 implies f-orbital....

This is how the numbers are arrived at.

The formula is i=n-1(write out your answer from zero, since it ranges from 0).

If n=1(K-shell), i=1-1=0, meaning that on K-shell, you have only one orbital which is S-orbital(since zero stands for s-orbital)

If n=2, i=n-1,then i=2-1=1..... (0,1) (remember, count out your answer from zero) Then count the digits, no of digits=no of orbitals. There are two digits(0,1) meaning there are two orbitals in L-shell (S and P).

Let's apply this principle for 3rd energy level

If n=3, i=n-1, 3-1=2....(0,1,2) meaning there are 3 types of orbitals in M-shell.
0 stands for S
1 stands for p
2 stands for d

Pls, try work out on a sheet of paper the number/type of orbitals (i.e the azimuthal quantum number) on N-shell based on this explanation.


I will take a pause here to entertain your questions before I proceed.

Veronica0705:
. my question is what is the difference btw shell , orbitals and subshell.

then what does it mean when an element is said to be at the ground state or excited state.

Geofavor:
modified*
an orbital is the same as a subshell. Orbitals are spaces in SHELLs were electrons are found. These shells are either named with numbers (called quantum numbers) or with letters (called shells). The numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4 ... And so on, while the letters are K, L, M, N .... And so on. Where.

K = 1
L = 2
M = 3
N = 4 ...
And so on

these shells are generally called ENERGY LEVELS.

Just as different grades of schools have different amount of classes, so does the different shells have different amount of sub-shells.


K = s
L = s, p
M = s, p, d
N = s, p, d, f ...
And so on.



the closest shell (or energy level) to the nucleus of an atom is the K orbital. This orbital is known as the ground state. Sometimes, however, electrons gain energy (get excited) and jump from that energy level to a higher energy level. When this happens, the electron is said to be in an excited state.

Veronica0705:
. tanx a lot. now I understand it well

Veronica0705:
. my question is what is the difference btw shell , orbitals and subshell. then what does it mean when an element is said to be at the ground state or excited state.

OluchiDelly:

4. Spin Quantum number.. SQN..... (S) ... It describes the spin/orientation/direction of the two electrons in the degenerate orbitals. One has a clockwise spin (+1/2) and the 2nd has an anti clockwise spin of -1/2.
That is why we use 2 arrows in opposite directions (up and down arrows) to represent (the spin of) electrons.

In summary,
PQN simply gives info about shells
AQN simply gives info about orbitals
MQN simply gives info about the no of "compartments" in orbitals
SQN simply tells us that there must be max of 2 electrons with opposite spin per "degenerate" orbital.

The End.

Oxytocin:
Nice thread
Oluchi, are you an aspirant?

Veronica0705:
. tanx to u guys

Tobiee:
[email] Icecalm okay. [/email]

serenityaliyu:
pls I want u guys to help me on dis....Q-calculate the mass of magnesium that would be deposited by 8F of electricity. (a)96g(b)48g(c)72g(d)120g

Oxytocin:
Mg=Mg² +2e Mg= 2F Therefore 24g of Magnesium =2 ×1F Xg of magnesium= 8F X= 24 × 8/2 X=96 g........ A

serenityaliyu:
thanks

serenityaliyu:
will be glad, if u can throw more light on electrolysis

Oxytocin:
I am not really good in expounding. You could just share the areas you are having difficulty, I will be glad to help.

ShyNeptune:
wonderful work going on here. But I dislike chemistry

Geofavor:
are you a jambite?