Principal quantum number( n): It identifies shell, determines sizes and energy of orbitals
Azimuthal quantum number( l): Azimuthal quantum number.‘ l’ is also known as orbital angular momentum or subsidiary quantum number. l. It identifies sub-shell, determines the shape of orbitals, energy of orbitals in multi-electron atoms along with principal quantum number and orbital angular
momentum, i. e., The number of orbitals in a subshell = 2l + 1. For a given value of n, it can have n values ranging from 0 to n-1. Total number of subshells in a particular shell is equal to the value of n.
Subshell s p d f g notation Value of‘ l’ 0 1 2 3 4 Number of 1 3 5 7 9 orbitals
Magnetic quantum number or Magnetic orbital quantum number( ml): It gives information about the spatial orientation of the orbital with respect to standard set of co-ordinate axis. For any sub-shell( defined by‘ l’ value) 2l + 1 values of ml are possible. For each value of l, ml = – l, –( l – 1), –( l – 2)... 0,1...( l – 2),( l – 1), l
Electron spin quantum number( ms): It refers to orientation of the spin of the electron. It can have two values + 1 / 2 and-1 / 2. + 1 / 2 identifies the clockwise spin and-1 / 2 identifies the anti- clockwise spin.