Textbook Question
A certain orbital of the hydrogen atom has n = 4 and l = 2. a. What are the possible values of ml for this orbital?
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9. Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Numbers: Magnetic Quantum Number
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What is the only possible value of the magnetic quantum number, m_l, for an electron in an s orbital?
A
2
B
0
C
1
D
-1
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the magnetic quantum number, \(m_l\), depends on the azimuthal quantum number, \(l\), and can take integer values from \(-l\) to \(+l\) including zero.
For an s orbital, the azimuthal quantum number \(l\) is 0.
Since \(m_l\) ranges from \(-l\) to \(+l\), for \(l = 0\), the only possible value of \(m_l\) is 0.
This means that for an electron in an s orbital, \(m_l = 0\) is the only allowed magnetic quantum number.
Therefore, the magnetic quantum number \(m_l\) for an s orbital electron is uniquely 0.
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