Question

Magnetic quantum number is related to:
A. size of orbitals.
B. shape of orbitals.
C. orientation of orbitals in space.
D. all of the above.

Answer 1

Hint: There are number of solutions to the wave equation proposed by the quantum mechanical model of atom, which are acceptable and each orbital may be described by a set of three quantum numbers, n, l and m. this atomic model is based on the particle and wave nature of the electron.

Complete answer:
n is the principal quantum number that gives the information about the energy level, l is the azimuthal number that explains the number and shape of the orbital.
Now let us discuss about the magnetic quantum number (m),
The observed magnetism is determined by the value of m. Since this magnetism has its eventual source in the angular momentum of the electron, it is reasonable that the value allowed to ${m_s}$ depends upon the value of l, the angular momentum quantum number. The theory and experiment both shows that ${m_s}$ can assume all integral values between –l to +l including 0. Thus, m can be -1, 0, +1 for l = 1. The magnetic quantum number also determines orientation of the orbital.
The magnetic spin quantum number claims that the spin has only two possible values +1/2 and -1/2. Besides the magnetic effect produced by its orbital motion, the electron itself has an intrinsic property.

Hence from above we can conclude that the correct option is C.

Note: The angular momentum of the electron present in a subshell with azimuthal quantum number is given by $\sqrt {l(l + 1)} \dfrac{h}{{2\pi }} = \sqrt {l(l + 1)} h$. Where l is the azimuthal quantum number.