CHEM 151 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Magnetic Quantum Number, Quantum Mechanics, Alkali Metal

• School: Rice University
• Department: Chemistry
• Course: CHEM 151
• Professor: Whitmire

Document Summary

Quantum mechanics is the examination of wave motion on the atomic scale. Each orbit is characterized by a particular energy level. Each orbit is characterized by three numbers, called quantum numbers. For a given energy level, the probability of finding an electron there can be depicted by an electron density diagram. The first quantum number, n, must be greater than or equal to 1, and represents the orbit"s distance from the nucleus; also known as the shell number, it defines the size of the orbital. The second quantum number, l, can be any non-negative number between 0 and n-1, and represents the shape on the orbital; also known as the subshell number l=0. Using n, we can calculate the possible values of l. The third quantum number, m, is the magnetic quantum number, can be any number between -l and +l and specifies the orbit"s direction. The m value determines the direction of the spin.