• We assign quantum numbers by looking at the last electron of an atom.
Principal Quantum Number (n) The shell
Describes size and energy level of orbitals - corresponds to period (row) on the periodic table
Refers to most outermost electron shell.
  • Means electrons have higher energy.
Anything that falls within d-block:
  • n = period - 1
Anything that falls within f-block:
  • n = period - 2
Angular Momentum Quantum Number (l) The sub-shell
Defines 3d shape of orbitals
Any integer from 0 to n-1
s-block s-orbitals
l = 0
p-block
l = 1
d-block
l = 2
f-block
l = 3

Orbitals

Lobes
Where electrons can be found
Nodes
Electrons can never be found
More nodes = higher energy (negative space)
Total nodes = n - 1
Angular Nodes
Planes separating phases/lobes
Radial Nodes
Spherical nodes between shells

Magnetic Quantum Number

M_l

Magnetic Quantum Number (M_l) Orbitals
Defines spatial orientation
Total number of possible orbitals in subshell = 2l + 1 = num possible M_l

Ml can have values from -l to +l.

When l = 1, ml can be -1, 0, or +1

Spin Quantum Number (Ms)

Spin Quantum Number (Ms) Electron Spin
Tells us the spin of last electron.
Either ip or down
  • Up = +1/2
  • Down = -1/2
  • Each orbital (value of Ml) can have two electrons and they cannot have the same spin.

Electron Configuration

  • n + 1 + subscript of number of atoms in that group.
Aufbau Principle
Lower energy orbitals fill up first.
  • Orbitals with same energy level are called degenerate.
Ne Electron Configuration
$$12^22s^22p^6$$
O Electron Configuration
$$12^22s^22p^4$$
Mg Electron Configuration
$$12^22s^22p^63s^2$$
Ti Electron Configuration
$$12^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^2$$

Noble Gas Configuration

  • Allows us to start at the last noble gas
Ti Electron Configuration
$$[Ar]4s^23d^2$$

Valence Electrons

Outermost Electrons
Also known as valence electrons
What participates in binding
  • Number of valence = find highest n-value of s & p orbitals ... find largest n value and add all superscripts in s and p orbitals for that n-value.
Octet
When an atom has 8 valence electrons.
Mg Electron Configuration
$$12^22s^22p^63s^2$$
Has two valence electrons
Ionic Radius
As we add more electron shells - the atomic radius increases
As we add more protons - the atomic radius decreases
  • As we move DOWN and the the LEFT, the atomic radius INCREASES.
  • Atomic radius decreases as you move to the right.