For a helium atom in its ground state, what are quantum numbers (n,l,mI,ms) for the (a) spin-up electron and (b) spin-down electron?

Short Answer

Expert verified
  1. The quantum numbers for the spin-up electron are 1,0,0+12.
  2. The quantum numbers for the spin-down electron are 1,0,0-12.

Step by step solution

01

The given data:

The helium atom is its ground state.

02

Understanding the concept of the quantum number of an atom: 

The set of numbers used to describe the position and power of an electron atom is called quantum numbers. There are four quantum numbers, namely, prime numbers, azimuthal, magnetic numbers, and spin quantum. The stored values of the quantum system are given by quantum numbers.

For every value of the principal quantum number, there are n values of l ranging from 0 to n-1. For every value of the orbital quantum number, there exist 2l+1values of magnetic quantum number ranging from -lto +l. Thus, the maximum value of this magnetic quantum number is equal to the value of the orbital quantum number. Now, every electron has two spin orientations, thus the value of the magnetic quantum number is determined by these spins.

03

(a) Calculation for the quantum numbers of the spin-up electron

When the helium atom is in the ground state, both its electrons are in 1s state. Thus for each electron with quantum numbers n = 1 , l = 0 and ml=0; one of the electrons is in a spin-up quantum state ms=+12and the other electron is in a spin-down ms=-12quantum state.

Hence, the quantum numbers for the spin-up electron are 1,0,0+12.

04

(b) Calculation for the quantum numbers of the spin-down electron

Using the concept of calculations in above part (a), the quantum numbers for the spin-down electron is 1,0,0-12.

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Element

λ(pm)

Element

λ(pm)

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V

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Ga

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