chem quest:quantum numbers........?

Question

Which of the following sets of quantum numbers refers to a 4p orbital?

a.n = 4, λ = 2, mλ = -1
b.n = 1, λ = 1, mλ = -1
c.n = 1, λ = 2, mλ = -1
d.n = 4, λ = 1, mλ = 0
e.n = 4, λ = 3, mλ = +2

Answer 1

The principal quantum number (n) indicates the shell. For a 4p orbital, the principal quantum number is n = 4.

The angular quantum number (λ) is assigned based on the subshell. For the p subshell, λ = 1.

The magnetic quantum number (mλ) is between -λ and λ for a given subshell. In this case, the mλ must be either -1, 0, or 1.

The only choice that meets these criteria is d.

Answer 2

4p
n = 4
λ = 1 for p (since s--0, p--1, d--2, f--3 and so on)
mλ can go between -λ to +λ in all cases
so it can be -1,0 or +1

option d has n and λ equal to what we want and has mλ as 0, which is fine....so that is our answer

Answer 3

d.n = 4, λ = 1, mλ = 0

Answer 4

answer is (d)