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QUANTUM NUMBERS AND SHIT

n is the principal quantum number. It defines the probable distance of an electron from the nucleus.

The value of n is an integer, eg 1, 2, 3, 4, etc

l is the angular momentum quantum number. It defines spatial distribution of electrons.

The value of l is limited by n. The value of l is an integer, starting from zero, that goes up to (n – 1):

n = 1 l = 0

n = 2 l = 0, 1

n = 3 l = 0, 1, 2

etc

l defines the shape of the orbitals

l = 0 s-orbital

l = 1 p-orbital

l = 2 d-orbital

l = 3 f-orbital

etc

ml is the magnetic quantum number. It describes the number of orbitals and their orientation within a subshell.

The values that ml can take is limited by the value of l. It can take any integer value from -l, including 0, up to +l.

l = 0 ml = 0

l = 1 ml = -1, 0, +1

l = 2 ml = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2

etc

ms is the spin quantum number. It defines the orientation of electron spin.

The electron has a spin quantum number of s = ½. The value of ms is either +½ or –½.