Quantum Numbers in Chemistry

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to quantum numbers in chemistry.

Quantum Numbers

Values that describe the energy, shape, orientation of an orbital, and spin of electrons.

Principal Quantum Number (n)

Indicates the energy level of an electron in an atom.

Angular Momentum Quantum Number (l)

Describes the shape of an orbital.

Magnetic Quantum Number (ml)

Specifies the orientation of an orbital.

Spin Quantum Number (ms)

Indicates the spin orientation of an electron.

Subshell

A division of an energy level in an atom, characterized by quantum numbers.

Energy Level

The fixed amount of energy that an electron in an atom can have.

Wave Function (Ψ2)

A mathematical function that describes the probability of finding an electron in an orbital.

Valid Set of Quantum Numbers

A combination of n, l, ml, and ms that follows specific rules and restrictions.

Increasing Energy Order

The sequence in which subshells are ordered from lowest to highest energy.