QUANTUM NUMBERS - JEE MAIN Page 1

1. QUANTUM NUMBERS & ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION

Orbit: Exact path (2D circular) followed by electron rotating d-Orbital : Double Dumb-bell shape
around the nucleus, just like earth rotating about the dxy , dyz and dxz have electron density between the axes
sun. This is how Bohr thought electron is moving around
the nucleus. Different orbits have only different sizes
given by orbit no. n.

Orbital : Due to uncertainity principle and wave nature of

electron, we cannot tell exact path of electron around
nucleus.
An orbital is 3D region of space around the nucleus in
which the probability of finding an electron is 90% to
95%.
Different orbitals may have different size, shape and
orientations.

Following two d-orbitals have electron density along the

axes
Shapes of different orbitals:
s- orbital : Spherical shape (Not Circular)

s-orbital is non-directional i.e. probability of finding an d-orbitals are directional i.e. probability of finding an
electron is equal in all directions. electron is different in different directions.
It can penetrate closest to the nucleus among different d - subshell can accomodate maximum no. of 10
orbitals of the same shell. electrons.
s-subshell can accomodate maximum no. of two

electrons.

p-orbitals : Dumb-bell shape

Dumb-bell shape consists of two lobes (like two inflated f - orbital : Complex (leaf like) shape
baloons) which are separated by a plane of zero electron
f-orbitals are directional in nature
density called as nodal plane.

f - subshell can accomodate maximum no. of 14

electrons.

Quantum Numbers : The set of four numbers

required to completely define an electron in an atom are
p-orbitals are directional i.e. probability of finding an called quantum numbers. The first three quantum
electron is different in different directions. p-subshell numbers (n, l and m) have been derived from
can accomodate maximum no. of six electrons. Schrodinger equation

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Nodes : Node represents the region where probability of finding an electron is zero
Orbital Total nodes = n – 1 Angular nodes =  Radial (spherical) nodes = n – – 1

1s 1–1=0 0 (  = 0 for s ) 1– 0–1=0

2s 2–1=1 0 (  = 0 for s ) 2– 0–1=1

1 (  = 1 for p )
2p x 2–1=1 2– 1–1=0
yz plane is nodal plane
1 (  = 1 for p )
3p y 3–1=2 3–1–1=1
xz plane is nodal plane
2 (  = 2 for d)
3d x y 3–1=2 3– 2–1=0
yz & xz planes are two nodal planes
2 (  = 2 for d)
3d x2– y 2 3–1=2 3– 2–1=0
Both angular nodes are two nodal planes

2 (  = 2 for d)
3d z2 3–1=2 3–2–1=0
Both angular nodes are two nodal cones
Note : If angular node is a plane it is called nodal plane
If angular node looks like a cone it is called nodal cone
A radial node is the spherical region around nucleus having zero probability of finding electron

Important Formulae : Rules of writing Electronic Configuration

1. No energy shell in the atoms of known elements (A) Aufbau principle:
possesses more than 32 electrons. 1. Aufbau is a German word meaning building up
2. Angular momentum of any orbit (as per Bohr Model) =
2. An orbital of lowest energy is filled before an
nh/2
orbital of higher energy
3.Total number of electrons in nth main energy level =
3. Electrons in an atom would fill the principal energy
  n 1
 2( 2  1) levels in order of increasing energy given by (n+)
 0 rule

4. Spin angular momentum 

h (n + ) Rule :
s(s  1)
2 (i) The sub-shell with lower value of (n + ) has lower
energy and it should be filled first.
1 eg. 3d: (n + ) = 3 + 2 = 5
where, s = +
2 4s: (n + ) = 4 + 0 = 4
Examples : (n + ) value of 3d is more than 4s. Thus, 4s will be
(1) Orbital angular momentum of s orbital electron filled before 3d.
= 0, since  = 0. (ii) If two sub-shell has same value of (n + ) then the
(2) Orbital angular momentum of p orbital electron subshell with lower value of n has lower energy and it
should be filled first.
h eg. 3d: (n + ) = 3 + 2 = 5
= , since  = 1
2
2 4p: (n + ) = 4 + 1 = 5
(3) Orbital angular momentum of d orbital electron
h Both have same value of (n + ). But 3d has lower
= 3 , since  = 2 value of n than 4p. Thus, 3d is filled before 4p.
2
The sequence of orbitals in order of their increasing
Degenerate Orbitals energy is
Orbitals belonging to same subshell have same energy
1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s < 3d < 4p < 5s <
and are known as degenerate orbitals. Degeneracy is
maintained in absence of magnetic field and destroyed
4d < 5p < 6s < 4f < 5d < 6p < 7s....
if degenerate orbitals are kept in magnetic field. Thus, This order can be easily remembered by using
Memory Map as shown below. Just follow the arrows,
p-subshell : one by one, from top to bottom
(3-fold degenerate)

d-subshell :

(5-fold degenerate)

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MEMORY MAP: Electronic configuration of atoms:
1. Total number of electrons to be filled is the atomic
1s
number Z.
2s 2p 2. Write the subshells in increasing order of energy
and go on filling one electron at a time keeping in
3s 3p 3d
mind above rules.
4s 4p 4d 4f
Boron: B (Z = 5): 1s2 2s2 2px1
5s 5p 5d 5f Carbon: C (Z = 6): 1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1
Nitrogen: N (Z = 7): 1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1 2pz1
6s 6p
Oxygen: O (Z = 8): 1s2 2s2 2px2 2py1 2pz1
Neon: Ne (Z = 10): 1s2 2s2 2p6
Aluminium: Al (Z = 13) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1
(B) Pauli’s exclusion principle : i.e. [Ne] 3s2 3p1
No two electrons in an atom can have the same set Vanadium: V (Z = 23) [Ar] 4s2 3d3
of all the four quantum numbers, i.e. an orbital cannot
Important Exceptions: Aufbau principle is not
occupy more than 2 electrons.
followed all the times, there are some exceptions that
The first three quantum nos. (n,l, and m) may be similar occur the transition metals and heavier elements. e.g.
but the 4th quantum number (s) must be different. Chromium: Cr (Z = 24) [Ar] 4s1 3d5
If first three quantum numbers are n = 1, = 0 and m Copper: Cu (Z = 29) [Ar] 4s 3d10
1

= 0 then only 2 electrons can corre-spond to these

These exceptions can be explained by extra stability
set, which would be either
of half filled and fully filled subshells on account of
s = –1/2 or s = +1/2.
greater exchange energy and symmetry.
Not allowed by Pauli’s Principle:
Electronic Configuration of Ions:
1. First write configuration of neutral atom
(C) Hund’s rule of Maximum Multiplicity :
2. Remove or add appropriate number of electrons
No electron pairing takes place in the orbitals of a
3. While removing electrons to form cations electrons
sub-shell until each orbital is occupied by one electron
must be removed first from the higest shell (i.e.
with parallel spins.
higesht n value). e.g.
Thus, the first three electrons will occupy each p-
orbital of a p-subshell singly (either all with clockwise Fe (Z = 26): [Ar] 4s2 3d6
spin or all with anticlockwise spin) and the 4th electron Fe 2+
[Ar] 3d6
will undergo pairing with any of the three single i.e. remove 2 electrons from 4s and not from 3d
electrons.
Allowed by Hund’s Rule : Cu (Z = 29) [Ar] 3d10 4s1
2+
Cu [Ar] 3d9 4s0
i.e. first remove 1 electron from 4s and then remove 1
electron from 3d.

Not allowed by Hund’s Rule :

Note: Exactly half filled and fully filled orbitals are more
stable, i.e. s1, s2, p3, p6, d5, d10, f7 and f14 configuration
are most stable.

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OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
* Marked Questions are having more than one correct option.
1. The orbital with zero orbital angular momentum is :
(1) s (2) p (3) d (4) f

2. Which of the following is electronic configuration of Cu2+ (Z = 29) ?

(1) [Ar]4s1 3d8 (2) [Ar]4s2 3d10 4p1 (3) [Ar]4s1 3d10 (4) [Ar] 3d9

3. Magnetic moment of Xn+ (Z = 26) is 24 B.M. Hence number of unpaired electrons and value of n respectively
are :
(1) 4, 2 (2) 2, 4 (3) 3, 1 (4) 0, 2

4. Which of the following ions has the maximum number of unpaired d-electrons?
(1) Zn2+ (2) Fe2+ (3) Ni3+ (4) Cu+

5. The total spin resulting from a d7 configuration is :

(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 5/2 (4) 3/2

6. Given is the electronic configuration of element X :

K L M N
2 8 11 2
The number of electrons present with  = 2 in an atom of element X is :
(1) 3 (2) 6 (3) 5 (4) 4

7. Consider the ground state of Cr atom (Z = 24). The numbers of electrons with the azimuthal quantum
numbers,  = 1 and 2 are, respectively :
(1) 16 and 5 (2) 12 and 5 (3) 16 and 4 (4) 12 and 4

8. The possible value of  and m for the last electron in the Cl– ion are :
(1) 1 and 2 (2) 2 and + 1 (3) 3 and – 1 (4) 1 and – 1

9. For an electron, with n = 3 has only one radial node. The orbital angular momentum of the electron will be

h h  h 
(1) 0 (2) 6 (3) 2 2 (4) 3  2 
2  

10. Which of the following quantum number has not been derived from Schrodinger wave equation :
(1) Principal quantum number (n) (2) Subsidiary quantum number ()
(3) Magnetic quantum number (m) (4) Spin quantum number (s)

11. The orbital angular momentum corresponding to n = 4 and m = –3 is :

h 6h 3h
(1) 0 (2) (3) (4)
2 2 

12.* The correct representation of electronic configuration of Nitrogen atom is :

(1) (2)

(3) (4)

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13.* Which of the following statements is/are INCORRECT :
(1) The value of magnetic quantum number (m) cannot exceed the value of principal quantum number (n) for
the same electron.
(2) If the electronic configuration of 6C is written as 1s6, then Aufbau’s principle has been violated.
1 1
(3) The + and – values of spin quantum number denote two quantum mechanical spin states which have
2 2
no classical analogue.
(4) The maximum number of electrons in a particular subshell, for which value of azimuthal quantum number
is , is given by (4+2).

SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
14. How many unpaired electrons are there in Ni +2 ion if the atomic number of Ni is 28.

15. Write the electronic configuration of the element having atomic number 56.

16. Given below are the sets of quantum numbers for given orbitals. Name these orbitals.
(a) n = 3 (b) n = 5 (c) n = 4 (d) n = 2 (e) n = 4
=1 = 2 = 1 =0 =2

17. Point out the angular momentum of an electron in,

(a) 4s orbital (b) 3p orbital (c) 4th orbit

18. Which of the following sets of quantum numbers are impossible for electrons ? Explain why in each case.

19. Find the total spin and spin magnetic moment of following ion.
(i) Fe+3 (ii) Cu+

Single Choice Type

1. Which orbital is non-directional
(A) s (B) p (C) d (D) All
2. For which orbital angular probability distribution is maximum at an angle of 45° to the axial direction :
(A) d x 2  y 2 (B) d z2 (C) dxy (D) Px

3. If n and  are respectively the principal and azimuthal quantum numbers, then the expression for calculating
the total number of electrons in any orbit is :
 n   n 1   n1   n 1

(A)  2 (2  1) (B)  2 (2  1) (C) 

0
2 (2  1) (D)  2 (2  1)
0
 1  1

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4. The quantum numbers + 1/2 and – 1/2 for the electron spin represent :
(A) Rotation of the electron in clockwise and anticlockwise direction respectively.
(B) Rotation of the electron in anticlockwise and clockwise direction respectively.
(C) Magnetic moment of the electron pointing up and down respectively,
(D) Two quantum mechanical spin states which have no classical analogue.
5. What are the values of the orbital angular momentum of an electron in the orbitals 1s, 3s, 3d and 2p -
(A) 0, 0, 6  , 2 (B) 1, 1, 4  , 2 (C) 0, 1 6  , 3 (D) 0, 0 20  , 6

6. After np orbitals are filled, the next orbital filled will be :

(A) (n + 1) s (B) (n + 2) p (C) (n + 1) d (D) (n + 2) s
7. The correct set of four quantum numbers for the valence electron of Rubidium (Z = 37) is
1 1
(A) n = 5,  = 0, m = 0, s = + (B) n = 5,  = 1, m = 0, s = +
2 2
1 1
(C) n = 5,  = 1, m = 1, s = + (D) n = 6,  = 0, m = 0, s = +
2 2
8. Which of the given statement (s) is/are false.
I. Orbital angular momentum of the electron having n = 5 and having value of the azimuthal quantum number
h
as lowest for this principle quantum number is .

II. If n = 3,  = 0, m = 0, for the last valence shell electron, then the possible atomic number must be 12 or 13.
7
III. Total spin of electrons for the atom 25Mn is ± .
2
IV. Spin magnetic moment of inert gas is 0
(A) I, II and III (B) II and III only (C) I and IV only (D) None of these

9. In case of d x 2  y 2 orbital
(A) Probability of finding the electron along x-axis is zero.
(B) Probability of finding the electron along y-axis is zero.
(C) Probability of finding the electron is maximum along x and y-axis.
(D) Probability of finding the electron is zero in x-y plane
10. Statement-1 : For n = 3,  may be 0, 1 and 2 and 'm' may be 0, ± 1 and ± 2.
Statement-2 : For each value of n, there are 0 to (n – 1) possible values of ; for each value of , there are 0
to ±  values of m.
(A) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for Statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement-2 is NOT a correct explanation for Statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is False.
(D) Statement-1 is False, Statement-2 is True.
11. Statement-1 : The possible number of electrons in a subshell is (4 + 2)
Statement-2 : The possible number of orientations of a sub-shell are (2 + 1)
(A) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for Statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True; Statement-2 is NOT a correct explanation for Statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is False.
(D) Statement-1 is False, Statement-2 is True.
More than one choice type
12. Which of the following statements is/are correct for an electron of quantum numbers n = 4 and m = 2?
(A) The value of  may be 2. (B) The value of  may be 3.
(C) The value of s may be +1/2. (D) The value of  may be 0, 1, 2, 3.
13. Which of the following statement(s) is (are) correct?
(A) The electronic configuration of Cr is [Ar] (3d)5 (4s)1. (Atomic number of Cr = 24)
(B) The magnetic quantum number may have negative values.
(C) In silver atom, 23 electrons have a spin of one type and 24 of the opposite type. (Atomic number of Ag = 47)
(D) None of these

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PART - I : AIEEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

1. Which of the following set a of quantum numbers is correct for an electron in 4f orbital ? [AIEEE 04]
(1) n = 4, l =3, m = +4, s = +1/2 (2) n = 4, l = 4, m = –4, s = –1/2
(3) n = 4, l = 3, m = +1, s = +1/2 (4) n = 3, l=2, m =–2, s = +1/2
2. Consider the ground state of Cr atom (Z = 24). The numbers of electrons with the azimuthal quantum
numbers,  = 1 and 2 are, respectively [AIEEE 04]
(1) 12 and 4 (2) 12 and 5 (3) 16 and 4 (4) 16 and 5
3. Which of the following statements in relation to the hydrogen atom is correct ? [AIEEE 05]
(1) 3s, 3p and 3d orbitals all have the same energy
(2) 3s and 3p orbitals are of lower energy than 3d orbital
(3) 3p orbital is lower in energy than 3d orbital
(4) 3s orbital is lower in energy than 3p orbital

4. In a multi-electron atom, which of the following orbitals described by the three quantum numbers will have the
same energy in the absence of magnetic and electric field ? [AIEEE 05]
(i) n = 1, l = 0, m = 0 (ii) n =2, l = 0, m = 0 (iii) n = 2, l = 1, m = 1 (iv) n = 3, l = 2, m =1
(v) n = 3, l = 2, m = 0
(1) (iv) and (v) (2) (iii) and (iv) (3) (ii) and (iii) (4) (i) and (ii)
5. The ‘spin-only’ magnetic moment [in units of Bohr magneton ()] of Ni2+ in aqueous solution would be
(Atomic number : Ni = 28) [AIEEE 06]
(1) 2.84 (2) 4.90 (3) 0 (4) 1.73
6. Which of the following set of quantum numbers represents the highest energy of an atom ?
1 1
(1) n = 3, l = 0, m = 0, s = + (2) n = 3, l = 1, m =1, s = + [AIEEE 08, 3/105]
2 2
1 1
(3) n = 3, l = 2, m = 1, s = + (4) n = 4, l = 0, m = 0, s = +
2 2

7. The electrons identified by quantum numbers n and  : [AIEEE 2012, 4/120]

(a) n = 4,  = 1 (b) n = 4,  = 0 (c) n = 3,  = 2 (d) n = 3,  = 1
can be placed in order of increasing energy as :
(1) (c) < (d) < (b) < (a) (2) (d) < (b) < (c) < (a) (3) (b) < (d) < (a) < (c) (4) (a) < (c) < (b) < (d)

8. The correct set of four quantum numbers for the valence electrons of rubidium atom (Z = 37) is :
[JEE(Main) 2014, 4/120]
1 1 1 1
(1) 5, 0, 0, + (2) 5, 1, 0, + (3) 5,1, 1, + (4) 5, 0, 1, +
2 2 2 2

PART - II : IIT-JEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

* Marked Questions are having more than one correct option.
h
1. Find the orbital angular momentum of electron if it is in 2p orbital of H in terms of .
2
[JEE 2005 ,4/144]
Paragraph for Question Nos. 2 to 4
The hydrogen-like species Li2+ is in a spherically symmetric state S1 with one radial node. Upon absorbing
light the ion undergoes transition to a state S2. The state S2 has one radial node and its energy is equal to
the ground state energy of the hydrogen atom.

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2. The state S1 is : [JEE 2010, 3/163]
(A) 1s (B) 2s (C) 2p (D) 3s
3. Energy of the state S1 in units of the hydrogen atom ground state energy is : [JEE 2010, 3/163]
(A) 0.75 (B) 1.50 (C) 2.25 (D) 4.50
4. The orbital angular momentum quantum number of the state S2 is : [JEE 2010, 3/163]
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3
5. The maximum number of electrons that can have principal quantum number, n = 3, and spin quantum
number, ms = –1/2, is [JEE 2011, 4/180]
6. In an atom, the total number of electrons hav ing quantum numbers n = 4, |m  | = 1 and
m s = –1/2 is : [JEE(Advanced) 2014, 3/120]

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EXERCISE # 1
1. (1) 2. (4) 3. (1) 4. (2) 5. (4)

6. (1) 7. (2) 8. (4) 9. (3) 10. (4)

11. (4) 12.* (1,2) 13.* (2,3) 14. 2

15. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2. 16. 3p, 5d, 4p, 2s, 4d

h 2h
17. (a) 0, (b) , (c)
2 

18. Impossible sets of quantum numbers are (i), (iii), and (vi)

19. (i) + 5/2 or – 5/2, spin magnetic moment = 35 B.M. (ii) 0, 0

EXERCISE # 2

1. (A) 2. (C) 3. (D) 4. (D) 5. (A)

6. (A) 7. (A) 8. (A) 9. (C) 10. (A)

11. (A) 12. (A,B,C) 13. (A,B,C)

EXERCISE # 3
PART - I
1. (3) 2. (2) 3. (1) 4. (1) 5. (1)

6. (3) 7. (2) 8. (1)

PART - II

 h 
1. 2 .  2  2. (B) 3. (C) 4. (B) 5. 9

6. 6

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