For the [tex]n=3[/tex] electron shell, which of the following quantum numbers are valid? Check all that apply.

A. [tex]I=3[/tex]
B. [tex]m=3[/tex]
C. [tex]I=0[/tex]
D. [tex]m=-2[/tex]
E. [tex]I=-1[/tex]
F. [tex]m=2[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the validity of the given quantum numbers for the [tex]\( n = 3 \)[/tex] electron shell, we need to understand the rules governing quantum numbers.

1. Principal Quantum Number ([tex]\( n \)[/tex]):
- Defines the electron shell and is given as [tex]\( n = 3 \)[/tex].

2. Azimuthal Quantum Number ([tex]\( l \)[/tex]):
- Defines the subshell and can range from [tex]\( 0 \)[/tex] to [tex]\( n-1 \)[/tex].
- For [tex]\( n = 3 \)[/tex], [tex]\( l \)[/tex] can be [tex]\( 0, 1, \)[/tex] or [tex]\( 2 \)[/tex].

3. Magnetic Quantum Number ([tex]\( m_l \)[/tex]):
- Defines the orientation of the orbital and can range from [tex]\( -l \)[/tex] to [tex]\( +l \)[/tex].
- For each [tex]\( l \)[/tex]:
- If [tex]\( l = 0 \)[/tex], [tex]\( m_l = 0 \)[/tex].
- If [tex]\( l = 1 \)[/tex], [tex]\( m_l = -1, 0, 1 \)[/tex].
- If [tex]\( l = 2 \)[/tex], [tex]\( m_l = -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 \)[/tex].

Let's analyze each quantum number given:

1. [tex]\( I = 3 \)[/tex]:
- The azimuthal quantum number [tex]\( l = 3 \)[/tex] is invalid because [tex]\( l \)[/tex] must be between [tex]\( 0 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( n-1 = 2 \)[/tex].

2. [tex]\( m = 3 \)[/tex]:
- The magnetic quantum number [tex]\( m_l = 3 \)[/tex] would be valid only if [tex]\( l \geq 3 \)[/tex]. However, since [tex]\( l \)[/tex] for [tex]\( n = 3 \)[/tex] can only be [tex]\( 0, 1, \)[/tex] or [tex]\( 2 \)[/tex], [tex]\( m_l = 3 \)[/tex] is invalid.

3. [tex]\( I = 0 \)[/tex]:
- The azimuthal quantum number [tex]\( l = 0 \)[/tex] is valid because it is within the range [tex]\( 0 \)[/tex] to [tex]\( n-1 \)[/tex].

4. [tex]\( m = -2 \)[/tex]:
- The magnetic quantum number [tex]\( m_l = -2 \)[/tex] is valid for [tex]\( l \geq 2 \)[/tex]. Since [tex]\( n = 3 \)[/tex] allows [tex]\( l = 2 \)[/tex], [tex]\( m_l = -2 \)[/tex] is valid.

5. [tex]\( I = -1 \)[/tex]:
- The azimuthal quantum number [tex]\( l = -1 \)[/tex] is invalid because [tex]\( l \)[/tex] cannot be negative.

6. [tex]\( m = 2 \)[/tex]:
- The magnetic quantum number [tex]\( m_l = 2 \)[/tex] is valid for [tex]\( l \geq 2 \)[/tex]. Since [tex]\( n = 3 \)[/tex] allows [tex]\( l = 2 \)[/tex], [tex]\( m_l = 2 \)[/tex] is valid.

Based on this analysis, the validity of the quantum numbers is:

- [tex]\( I = 3 \)[/tex]: False
- [tex]\( m = 3 \)[/tex]: False
- [tex]\( I = 0 \)[/tex]: True
- [tex]\( m = -2 \)[/tex]: True
- [tex]\( I = -1 \)[/tex]: False
- [tex]\( m = 2 \)[/tex]: True

So, the result for the given [tex]\( n = 3 \)[/tex] electron shell is:

[tex]\( (False, False, True, True, False, True) \)[/tex]

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