If the principal quantum number n = 4, what are the possible values of l?
Correct Answer: 0, 1, 2, 3
- Step 1: Understand that the principal quantum number 'n' indicates the energy level of an electron in an atom.
- Step 2: Know that the azimuthal quantum number 'l' describes the shape of the orbital and can take values from 0 to (n-1).
- Step 3: Since 'n' is given as 4, calculate the maximum value for 'l' by subtracting 1 from 'n': 4 - 1 = 3.
- Step 4: List the possible values for 'l', which are all the integers from 0 to 3: 0, 1, 2, 3.
- Principal Quantum Number – The principal quantum number (n) indicates the energy level of an electron in an atom and can take positive integer values.
- Azimuthal Quantum Number – The azimuthal quantum number (l) defines the shape of the orbital and can take integer values from 0 to (n-1).
