Which of the following sets of quantum numbers describes the electron which is removed most easily from a potassium atom in its ground state? (a) \(n=3, l=1, m_{l}=1, m_{s}=-\frac{1}{2}\) (b) \(n=2, l=1, m_{l}=0, m_{s}=-\frac{1}{2}\) (c) \(n=4, l=0, m_{1}=1, m_{s}=+\frac{1}{2}\) (d) \(n=4, l=0, m_{l}=0, m_{s}=+\frac{1}{2}\)

Atomic orbitals are regions within an atom where electrons are most likely to be found. They are often visualized as cloud-like structures around the nucleus, and each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins. Orbitals come in various shapes and sizes, which are determined by quantum numbers. The shapes can be spherical (s), dumbbell (p), cloverleaf (d), and complex (f).For example, the 's' orbital is spherical and is the first orbital that electrons fill as the atomic number increases. The 'p' orbitals, which come next, are dumbbell-shaped and orient in three dimensions (x, y, z). Higher orbitals, like 'd' and 'f', have even more complex shapes and can hold more electrons. Understanding atomic orbitals is essential when determining where electrons reside in an atom and how they contribute to the atom's properties.

The principal quantum number, denoted as 'n', is fundamental in understanding an electron's position within an atom. It determines the energy level of the electron and its distance from the nucleus. Quantum numbers start at 1 and increase by whole numbers as the energy level goes up.As 'n' increases, the size of the orbital gets larger, and the electron spends more time further from the nucleus, which means it has more energy and is less tightly bound to the atom. This is why elements with a higher principal quantum number tend to be more reactive; their outermost electrons are more easily removed. In the potassium example, electrons in the orbital with 'n=4' are the highest energy and most easily removed, as they are the least bound to the nucleus.

Electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed among the atomic orbitals of an atom. It follows a specific order based on the increasing energy levels and sublevels, guided by the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. The Aufbau principle states that electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest available energy levels before moving to higher ones. Pauli's exclusion principle tells us that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers, which means an orbital can hold two electrons with opposite spins. Hund's rule explains that electrons will fill degenerate (equal energy) orbitals singly before filling them in pairs.The electron configuration is written in a notation that lists the occupied sublevels with the number of electrons in each. For instance, potassium has an electron configuration of [Ar] 4s1, indicating that the electron to be removed is in the 4s orbital, as reflected in the correct choice from the given set of quantum numbers.

The spin quantum number, represented by 'ms', specifies the orientation of the intrinsic spin of an electron within an atomic orbital. The intrinsic spin is a fundamental property of electrons that can be conceptualized as electrons spinning on their axis, much like the Earth rotates on its axis. There are only two possible values for 'ms': +1/2 and -1/2, which correspond to 'spin-up' and 'spin-down' orientations, respectively.The electron spin is significant in explaining the magnetic properties of materials and is also important when pairing electrons in orbitals, as dictated by Pauli's exclusion principle. Each orbital can have at most two electrons, and they must have opposite spins, which is why the spin quantum number is essential in electron configurations. In the potassium example, either spin orientation can represent the most easily removed electron, with the final choice affected by other quantum numbers, as indicated by the correct solution (d) with 'ms' of +1/2.