Multiple Choice
Which quantum number is primarily used to specify the angular momentum (subshell) of an electron in an atom?
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9. Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Numbers: Angular Momentum Quantum Number
Multiple Choice
For a principal quantum number n = 3, which of the following lists correctly represents all possible values of the angular momentum quantum number l?
A
0, 1, 2
B
1, 2
C
0, 1, 2, 3
D
1, 2, 3
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the angular momentum quantum number \(l\) depends on the principal quantum number \(n\) and can take integer values from \$0\( up to \)n-1$.
For a given principal quantum number \(n = 3\), list all possible values of \(l\) by starting at 0 and increasing by 1 until you reach \(n-1\).
Write down the values explicitly: \(l = 0, 1, 2\) because \(n-1 = 3-1 = 2\).
Understand that these values correspond to different subshells: \(l=0\) (s subshell), \(l=1\) (p subshell), and \(l=2\) (d subshell) for \(n=3\).
Verify that values like \(l=3\) are not possible for \(n=3\) because \(l\) cannot be equal to or greater than \(n\).
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