Quantum Numbers

To locate the position of an electron in the atom 4 identification

number are required and these identification number are called
as Quantum number.

▪ Principal quantum number (n)

▪ Azimuthal quantum number (l)

▪ Magnetic quantum number (m)

▪ Spin quantum number (s)

Magnetic Quantum Number/Orientation Quantum Number (m)

Given By → Linde
It represents the orientation of electron cloud (orbital)

Nucleus
Orbitals :
3D space around the
nucleus where the
probability of finding
electrons is maximum.
95% probability of
electron confinement

Value of m = all integral value from – ℓ to + ℓ including zero.

Case 1
for 's'   = 0, m = 0 (One orbital)

Shapes of s-orbitals

Spherical shape 's' → Directionless

The probability of finding s electron is same in all directions

from the nucleus.
The size of the orbital depends on the value of principal
quantum number
The size and energy of the s-orbital increases as the principal
quantum number increases.

1s 2s 3s

The probability of 1s electron is found to be maximum near

the nucleus and decreases as the distance from the nucleus
increases.
Nodes in orbitals

The intermediate region (a spherical shell) where the probability

is zero is called a nodal surface or simply node.

1s 2s 3s

2s-orbital differs from 1s-orbital in having one node within it.

Similarly, 3s has two nodes.
Case 2
for 'p'  = 1, m = 0 for pz , m = ±1 for px , py (Three orbitals)

px pz py
Shapes of p-orbitals
Dumb-bell shape
These three p-orbitals are situated at right angle to another
and are directed along x, y and z axes

Each p orbital has dumb bell shape ( 2 lobes which are

separated from each other by a point of zero probability
called nodal point or node or nucleus).

py
'p' → Dumbell Shape

px py pz
 The two lobes of each orbital are separated by a plane of zero
electron density called nodal plane.

Nodal Plane

Orbital Nodal plane

Px yz plane

Py xz plane

Pz xy plane
px-orbital

yz plane
(Nodal plane)
py-orbital

xz plane
(Nodal plane)
pz-orbital

xy plane
(Nodal plane)
Case 3
for 'd'   = 2, m = –2, –1, 0, +1, +2 (Five orbitals)

It implies that d subshell of any energy shell has five orbitals.

dxy dyz 𝐝z2 dxz dx2–y2

m= 0 for dz2
m= +1 for dxz, dyz
m= +2 for dx2− y2 & dxy

Note
Orbitals of d subshell are Equivalent in energy.
Shapes of d-orbitals
Double dumb bell Shape

dz2 𝐝𝐱𝟐 −𝐲𝟐

dxz dyz dxy

 dxy-orbital
The four lobes dxy orbital lie between x and y axes.

dxy

Nodal planes =2(xz, yz planes)

dyz-orbital
The four lobes dyz orbital lie between y and z axes.

dyz

Nodal planes =2(xy, xz planes)

 dxz-orbital
The four lobes dxz orbital lie between x and z axes.

dxz
Nodal planes =2(xy, yz planes)
 dx2-y2-orbital
Four lobes of 𝐝𝐱𝟐 −𝐲𝟐 orbital are lying along x and y axes.

𝐝𝐱𝟐 −𝐲𝟐
Nodal planes =2 (2 nodal plane at 45° from x and y axis.)
dz2-orbital The two lobes of dz2 orbital are lying along z axes and
contain a ring of negative charge surrounding the nucleus
in xy plane.

No. of Nodal Planes in dz2 = 0

dz2 No. of Nodal Cones in dz2 = 2
Case 4

for 'f'  = 3, m = –3, –2, –1, 0, +1, +2, +3 (Seven orbitals)

The structure of f-orbital is very complex

The number of values of f-orbitals in f subshell show that f

subshell has 7 orbitals which are equivalent in Energy.
Value of m : all integral value from –  to + .

for 's'   = 0, m = 0 (One orbital)

for 'p'  = 1, m = –1, 0, +1 (Three orbitals) px pz py

for 'd'   = 2, m = –2, –1, 0, +1, +2 (Five orbitals)

dxy dyz 𝐝z 2 dxz dx2–y2

for 'f'  = 3, m = –3, –2, –1, 0, +1, +2, +3 (Seven orbitals)

f𝒙𝟑 f𝒚𝟑 f𝒛𝟑 fxyz Fx(𝒚𝟐 - 𝒚𝟐 ) Fy(𝒛𝟐 - 𝒙𝟐 ) Fz(𝒙𝟐 - 𝒚𝟐 )

Summary
1
K shell

0
1s Subshell

0
1s orbital
 2
L shell

0 1
2s Subshell 2p Subshell

0 -1 0 +1
2s orbital 2p orbitals
 n= 1, 2,… 3
shells M shell

l =0,…n-1 0 2
1
Subshells 3s Subshell 3d Subshell
3p Subshell

ml =-l,…0,..,+ l 0 -2 -1 0 +1 +2
-1 0 +1
Orbitals 3s orbital 3d orbitals
3p orbitals
 Example
Determine the orbitals from the following value of n, l, m :
1. n = 2,  = 1 & m = –1
2. n = 4,  = 0 & m = 0
3. n = 5,  = 2 & m = +1
4. n = 3,  = 1 & m = 0

Solution
n I m orbital
2 1 -1 2px or 2py
4 0 0 4s
5 2 +1 5dyz/5dxz
3 1 0 3pz
Homework
 Example
Find out the value of n, l, m, for the following orbitals
1. 5s
2. 3pz
3. 2px

Solution
(1) 5s : n = 5, l = 0, m = 0
(2) 3pz : n = 3, l = 1, m = 0
(3) 2px : n = 2, l = 1, m = 1