Atomic Structure Question 489
Question: Which of the following sets of quantum numbers represent the highest stability of an atom-
Options:
A) $ n=4,,\ell =1,,m=0,,s=+1/2 $
B) $ n=4,,\ell =0,,m=0,,s=+1/2 $
C) $ n=4,,\ell =2,,m=1,,s=+1/2 $
D) $ n=3,,\ell =1,,m=0,,s=+1/2 $
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Answer:
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
- The lower the value of $ (n+l) $ for an orbital, the lower is its energy. If two orbitals have the same $ (n+l) $ value, the orbital with lower value of n has the lower energy i.e., highest stability. Set [d] has the lower value of n, thus has highest stability.
