Question

Which of the following sets of quantum numbers (n, l, m, ms) is possible for a 5f electron?
0 4,3,0,-
O 5,3,0,-
O 5, 3, +4,- 42
O 5, 2, 0, - 42
O 5,3,0,0

Answer 1

The possible quantum numbers for 5f are :

• n = 5
• l =f = 3
• ml = -3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3
• ms = +1/2 or -1/2  

Further explanation

Each orbital in an atom consists of 4 quantum numbers  

n is the principal quantum number ---> describes the size of the orbitals  

l is the angular momentum / azimuthal quantum number -> describes the shape of the orbitals.  

ml, the magnetic quantum number -> describes the orientation of orbitals in space  

ms, the electron-spin quantum number ---> describes the spin of electrons  

Value of n: positive integer  

value of l: s = 0, p = 1, d = 2, f = 3, ... (n-1)  

ml value: between -l to + l  

ms value: +1/2 or -1/2  

So the possible quantum numbers for 5f are :

• n = 5
• l =f = 3
• ml = -3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3
• ms = +1/2 or -1/2  

Because the answer choices are not very clear, please see the composition I have described above