The

electron is found inside a blurry electron cloud, also called the probability region.

The more precisely the position of a particle is determined, the less precisely the momentum is known in this instant; and vice versa.

Describes

the region of space where the electron is most likely to be found. Provides information on the energy of the electron.
Energy

is quantized, meaning: can be subdivided into small but measurable increments.

An

orbital is not a circular path, rather it is an energy state that can be described by the four quantum numbers.

Principal

Quantum Number (n or shell) - the main energy level of an orbital - related to the total energy of the electron in an atom - represents physically the radial distance that the probability region extends out from the nucleus - values: positive integer beginning with 1 - 2n2 rule: maximum number of electrons that can occupy a main energy level

Azimuthal

Quantum Number (l) - energy sublevels - defines the shape of the orbital - values: 0 until the integer n-1
l Sublevel
S
P D F

Orbital Shape

0
1 2 3

Spherical
Dumbbell-shaped

4 cloverleaf-shaped; 1 dumbbell-shaped w/ ring

(too complex to describe)

 Magnetic

Quantum Number (ml) - describes the orientation of the orbital in space - values: integral value from l to +l, including 0 - formula: 2l + 1 = number of ml values per sublevel

Sublevel S P D

l 0 1 2

ml

0 -1, 0, 1 -2, -1, 0, 1, 2

Spin

Quantum Number (ms) - represents the electron spin - describes the direction of the spin of one electron in reaction to the magnetic field generated by another electron nearby. - values: + ( ) clockwise spin and - ( ) counterclockwise spin

 Describes

how the electrons are distributed among the orbitals. state lowest energy state of the

Ground

atom; most stable arrangement of the electrons

The electrons fill the orbitals, one at a time, starting with the lower energy orbital then proceeding to the one with higher energy.

 n+l

rule

- used to identify which orbital has lower energy and is filled up first as electrons are added to the atom.

- the lower the (n+l), the lower the energy

- if (n+l) values are equal, the one with lower n value has the lower energy.

No two electrons in the same atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers.
Consequently, it means: Only two electrons may occupy an orbital, and they must have different spins.

Sublevel

Maximum # of orbital # of electrons

S
P D F

1
3 5 7

2
6 10 14

When electrons occupy orbitals of equal energy, they dont pair up unless all the orbitals have been filled up by a single electron.

Degenerate orbitals orbitals or energy levels with the same energy

 Paramagnetic

Element has one or more unpaired electrons in its orbital can be attracted to a magnet Element - only paired electrons in its orbitals - slightly repelled by a magnet

Diamagnetic