Question

Which of the following is not a valid set of quantum numbers? A) n = 3, l = 0, ml = 0, and ms = 1/2 B) n = 2, l = 1, ml = -1, and ms = -1/2 C) n = 3, l = 2, ml = 3, and ms = 1/2 D) n = 2, l = 1, ml = 0, and ms = -1/2

Answer 1

The answer is C).

The magnetic quantum number, or `m_l`, can only take values that range from `-l` to `+l`, as you can see in the table above.

For option C), the angular momentum quantum number of equal to ++2, which means that `m_l` can have a maximum value of +2. Since it is given as having a value of +3**, this set of quantum numbers is not a valid one.

The other three sets are valid and can correctly describe an electron.