Which of the following quantum numbers can never be negative?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following quantum numbers can never be negative?
n
l
m_l
s
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following quantum numbers can never be negative?
Step 1: Understand what quantum numbers are. They are numbers that describe the properties of electrons in an atom.
Step 2: Identify the different types of quantum numbers: principal quantum number (n), angular momentum quantum number (l), magnetic quantum number (m), and spin quantum number (s).
Step 3: Focus on the principal quantum number (n). It represents the energy level of an electron and can only be a positive integer.
Step 4: Recognize that the principal quantum number (n) starts from 1 and goes up (1, 2, 3, ...). It cannot be 0 or negative.
Step 5: Compare this with the other quantum numbers: angular momentum (l) can be 0 or positive, magnetic (m) can be negative, positive, or zero, and spin (s) can be positive or negative.
Step 6: Conclude that the only quantum number that can never be negative is the principal quantum number (n).
