JEE MAIN - Chemistry (2024 - 5th April Evening Shift - No. 21)
In an atom, total number of electrons having quantum numbers $$\mathrm{n}=4,\left|\mathrm{~m}_l\right|=1$$ and $$\mathrm{m}_{\mathrm{s}}=-\frac{1}{2}$$ is _________.
Answer
6
Explanation
To find the total number of electrons with the given quantum numbers, let's first understand what each quantum number represents:
- n (Principal Quantum Number): This specifies the energy level or shell of the electron in the atom. Here, $$n = 4$$ means we are dealing with the fourth energy level.
- l (Azimuthal Quantum Number or Orbital Angular Momentum Quantum Number): This defines the shape of the orbital and is dependent on the value of n. It can take values from 0 to $$n-1$$. For $$n = 4$$, $$l$$ can be 0 (s orbital), 1 (p orbital), 2 (d orbital), or 3 (f orbital).
- $m_l$ (Magnetic Quantum Number): This describes the orientation of the orbital in space and can take values from $$-l$$ to $$+l$$, including zero. The condition $$\left|\mathrm{~m}_l\right|=1$$ implies $$m_l = -1$$ or $$+1$$.
- $m_s$ (Spin Quantum Number): This indicates the spin direction of the electron, with possible values of $$+\frac{1}{2}$$ or $$-\frac{1}{2}$$. Here, $$\mathrm{m}_{\mathrm{s}}=-\frac{1}{2}$$ specifies electrons with a downward spin.
Given $$\left|\mathrm{~m}_l\right|=1$$, this directly implies that we are not considering s orbitals (which have $$l = 0$$ and hence $$m_l = 0$$). We are considering p, d, and f orbitals which can have $$m_l = 1$$ or $$m_l = -1$$.
For $l = 1$ (p orbitals):
- This corresponds to p orbitals, where $$\left|\mathrm{~m}_l\right|=1$$ can be achieved with $$m_l = -1$$ or $$m_l = +1$$.
- With $$\mathrm{m}_{\mathrm{s}}=-\frac{1}{2}$$, we only take half of the available ml values since each orbital can host two electrons with different spin quantum numbers.
- So, we get 2 electrons for p orbitals with the specified conditions.
For $l = 2$ (d orbitals):
- This corresponds to d orbitals, where again $$\left|\mathrm{~m}_l\right|=1$$ indicates $$m_l = -1$$ or $$m_l = +1$$.
- Similarly, we consider only electrons with a spin quantum number of $$-\frac{1}{2}$$, leading us to again have 2 electrons.
For $l = 3$ (f orbitals):
- f orbitals also can have $$m_l = -1$$ or $$m_l = +1$$ satisfying the $$\left|\mathrm{~m}_l\right|=1$$.
- With $$\mathrm{m}_{\mathrm{s}}=-\frac{1}{2}$$, like before, this limits us to 2 electrons.
Adding up all the electrons from the p, d, and f orbitals that meet the given criteria, we get:
- $$2\ (\mathrm{p\ orbitals}) + 2\ (\mathrm{d\ orbitals}) + 2\ (\mathrm{f\ orbitals}) = 6\ \mathrm{electrons}$$
Therefore, the total number of electrons having quantum numbers with $$\mathrm{n}=4, \left|\mathrm{~m}_l\right|=1$$ and $$\mathrm{m}_{\mathrm{s}}=-\frac{1}{2}$$ is 6.
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