Pauli Exclusion Principle
Mediumchemistry
According to Pauli's exclusion principle, the maximum number of electrons in an atom that can have the quantum numbers n = 4 and m = -2 is:
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
4
Pauli's Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same four quantum numbers (n,l,m,s).
- Given: n=4 and m=−2.
- For n=4, the allowed values of l are 0,1,2,3.
- For m=−2, the allowed values of l must satisfy ∣m∣≤l, so l can be 2 (4d) or 3 (4f).
- This gives two distinct orbitals with (n=4,m=−2): the (4,2,−2) orbital in the 4d subshell and the (4,3,−2) orbital in the 4f subshell.
- Each orbital can accommodate a maximum of 2 electrons (with opposite spins, s=+1/2 or −1/2).
- Therefore, the maximum number of electrons with n=4 and m=−2 is 2+2=4.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- atomic structure
- Topic
- pauli exclusion principle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
4
Pauli's Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same four quantum numbers (n,l,m,s).
- Given: n=4 and m=−2.
- For n=4, the allowed values of l are 0,1,2,3.
- For m=−2, the allowed values of l must satisfy ∣m∣≤l, so l can be 2 (4d) or 3 (4f).
- This gives two distinct orbitals with (n=4,m=−2): the (4,2,−2) orbital in the 4d subshell and the (4,3,−2) orbital in the 4f subshell.
- Each orbital can accommodate a maximum of 2 electrons (with opposite spins, s=+1/2 or −1/2).
- Therefore, the maximum number of electrons with n=4 and m=−2 is 2+2=4.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter atomic structure, covering the topic of pauli exclusion principle. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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