Question

Which of the following sets of quantum numbers is correct for an electron in 4f orbital?
A.$n = 4,l = 3,m = + 4,s = + \dfrac{1}{2}$
B.$n = 4,l = 4,m = - 4,s = - \dfrac{1}{2}$
C.$n = 4,l = 3,m = + 1,s = + \dfrac{1}{2}$
D.$n = 3,l = 2,m = - 2,s = + \dfrac{1}{2}$

Answer 1

Hint: According to Dalton’s theory the atom is the most basic form of matter but the atom contains various subatomic particles like electrons and protons. The atomic structure of the atom depends on the electronic configuration in which the electrons are arranged inside the atoms. This electronic configuration is responsible for various properties that the atom shows.

Complete step by step answer:
The atom consists of electrons which are present inside the atoms in specific orbits or shells. These electrons are present in the shells according to the energy. The distribution of the electron is similar to how the planets move in our solar system.
The electrons are placed in shells according to the energy. These shells are also given naming conventions which helps in the description of an electron that is present in the atomic shells.
All the electrons in the atom have some quantum numbers which are used to describe its location and thus also help in inferring the properties that the element is going to show.
The quantum numbers are namely the principal quantum number, the azimuthal quantum number, the magnetic quantum number, and the spin quantum number.
The principal quantum number shows the shell in which the electron is present and the azimuthal number shows the subshell. The magnetic quantum number shows the arrangement inside the subshell while the spin quantum number shows the spin.
Since the electron is in 4f orbital so the quantum numbers that can be given to the electron is
$n = 4,l = 3,m = + 1,s = + \dfrac{1}{2}$
So the correct answer is C.

Note:
Azimuthal quantum number l shows the subshells and determines the shape of the orbital. It can also be used to determine the number of angular nodes. The magnetic quantum number describes the energy levels in subshells and is responsible for the magnetic properties.