Senior High School

General Chemistry 1
Module 7
Quantum Numbers and
Electronics Configuration

AIRs - LM
LU_General Chemistry1_Module8
STEM - GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1
Quarter 2 - Module 7: Quantum Numbers and Electron Configuration
Second Edition, 2021

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 Senior High School

General Chemistry 1
Module 7
Quantum Numbers and
Electron Configuration
Introductory Message
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Thank you.
 Target

An electron in an atom is described in terms of four different quantum numbers.

Three of the quantum numbers: n, I, and m describes the atomic orbital. An atomic
orbital may be thought of as the region of space around the nucleus where the
probability of finding the electron with a given energy is greatest. It is commonly
illustrated as an indistinct, cloud-like region, “thick” where the electron is most likely
to be found “thin” where it will less likely be.
In your previous lessons, you have learned about the atomic constitution of
matter, that atoms are made up of elementary particles and these are: protons,
neutrons and electrons. The arrangement of electrons in an atom is called its
electronic structure. The electronic structure of an atom refers not only to the
number of electrons that an atom possesses but also to their distribution around the
nucleus and to their energies. Our knowledge of electronic structure is the result of
one of the major development of the quantum theory.
This learning material will provide you with information and activities that will
help you understand the four quantum numbers that describe electrons and
determine the magnetic property of the atom based on its electron configuration.

Most Essential Learning Competency

After going through this module, you are expected to:
A. use quantum numbers to describe an electron in an atom
(STEM_GC11ESIIa-b-54); and
B. determine the magnetic property of the atom based on its electronic
configuration (STEM_GC11ESIIa-b-57).

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, you are expected to:
A. define quantum number and electron configuration;
B. identify the types of quantum numbers;
C. follow the steps in writing the electron configuration; and
D. write the correct electron configurations of the given elements.

Before going on, let’s check how much you know about this
topic. Answer the pretest in Activity 1 on a separate sheet of paper.
Have fun and good luck! Are you ready? Let’s start!

1 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module7

 Jumpstart

Activity 1: Try My Pretest!

Direction: Write the CAPITAL letter of the correct answer on a separate paper.

1. What quantum number describes the energy of an orbital?

A.angular (l) B. magnetic (mi)
C. principal (n) D. spin (ms)
2. What are the m1 values for a d orbital?
A. 0 B. +1, 0, -1
C. -2, -1, 0, -1, -2 D. +3, +2, +1, 0, -1,-3
3.Which of the following describes a diagmagnetic atom?
A. An atom where some of the electrons are paired.
B. An atom where none of the electrons are paired.
C. An atom where all the electrons are paired.
D. An atom attracted to a magnetic field.
4. Which of the following describes a paramagnetic atom?
A. An atom where all the electrons are paired.
B. An atom where some of the electrons are unpaired.
C. An atom are not attracted to a magnetic field.
D. None of the above
5. Which of the following is the correct distribution of electrons of Sodium (11Na)
electronic configuration?
A. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 C. is2 2s2 2p2 3s2 3d1
B.1s2 2s2 2p5 3s1 D. 1s2 2s2 3s2 2p5

That’s great! You are now ready to the next level!

2 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module7

 Discover

The Four Quantum Numbers That Describes Electrons

Atomic orbitals are associated with characteristic energies, size, shapes, and
orientation in space. These values assigned as the quantum numbers.

1. The principal quantum number (n), describes the energy of the electron. It
also designates the main energy level (floor) or shell. The energy of the electron is
determined by its average distance from the nucleus or the principal energy level
where it is. It can have integral values 1, 2, 3 and so forth. It also describes the cloud
size. The larger the value of n, the larger the cloud size. Energy levels closer to the
nucleus have lower energy. As n increases, the orbital becomes larger and the
electron spends more time farther from the nucleus. An increase in n also means that
the electron has a higher energy and is therefore less tightly bound to the nucleus.
The larger n is, the greater the average distance of an electron in the orbital from the
nucleus and therefore the larger (and less stable) the orbital. The maximum number
of electrons possible in a given shell is 2n2 .

MAXIMUM
LEVEL NUMBER OF
ELECTRONS 2n2

n=1 2
n=2 8
n=3 18
n=4 32
n=5 50
n=6 72
n =7 98

In reality there are only 32 electrons in levels 5, 6 and 7 because of number of

different elements discovered or man-made.

2. The azimuthal or angular momentum quantum number (I) tells us the “shape”
of the orbital. It designates the sublevel which the electron is said to occupy. It is
also an integer, but its values are limited to a range of 0 to n-1. These values are: 1=0,
for the electron in an orbital in the s sublevel ; 1=1 for the electron in an orbital in the
p sublevel; 1=2 for the electron in an orbital in the d sublevel; and 1=3 when the
electron occupies an orbital in f sublevel.
I0 1 2 3 4 5
Name of orbital s p d f g h

The unusual sequence of letters (s,p,d) has a historical origin. Physicist who
studied atomic emission spectra tried to correlate the observed spectral lines with the

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particular energy states involved in the transitions. They noted that some of the lines
were sharp; some were diffuse or spread out; and some were very strong and hence
referred to as principal lines. Subsequently, the initial letters of each adjective
assigned to those energy states. However, after the letter d and starting with the
letter f (for fundamental), the orbital designations follow alphabetical order.

3. The magnetic quantum number (mi) describes the orientation of the orbital in
space. The number is also an integer, and its values are restricted to a range of +1
down through 0 to -1.
When 1= 0, mi can have only one value: 0. This corresponds to a single s orbital
which has a spherical shaped centered around the nucleus, as shown below.
The spherical shape of the s orbital means that the electron is moving, with 90%
probability in a region of space within the sphere, not around on the surface of the
sphere. Like the other orbitals, the region of highest density in the s orbital roughly
corresponds to its shape.

When 1= 1, mi, has three values: +1, 0,-1 which corresponds to three p orbitals.
Each orbital has “two lobes” in “dumbbell” shape that lie along three axes (x,y,z) as
shown below:

To distinguish these orbitals, they are named Px, P„ Pz.-

When 1= 2, mi, five values: +2,+ 1,0,-1,-2. Four of the five kinds of d orbitals
have clover-leaf shape but have different orientations.

When 1= 3, mi, has seven values: +3,+2,+1,0,-1,-2,-3. These seven f orbitals have
extremely complex shapes that are difficult to visualize.

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mi= 0 +1 0 -1 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 +3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3

s Px Py Pz d
yz dxy dxz dz2 dx2y2

I=
0 1 2 3
s orbital p orbital d orbital f orbital

4. The spin quantum number (ms) refers to the “spin” of an electron in a given
orbital. It can have only two values: arrow up T is +1/2( referred to as “spin up”)
and arrow down T is -1/2 ( referred to as “spin down”). The spin of an electron can
be one of two opposite directions, clockwise or counterclockwise. Since the spin
quantum number has only possible values, it follows that an orbital can
accommodate a maximum of two electrons only.

The Pauli exclusion principle (Wolfgang Pauli, Nobel Prize 1945) states that no
two electrons in the same atom can have identical values for all four of their quantum
numbers. What this means is that no more than two electrons can occupy the same
orbital, and that two electrons in the same orbital must have opposite spins. Because
an electron spins, it creates a magnetic field, which can be oriented in one of two
directions. For elements consisting of atoms without unpaired electrons, like Helium,
2He ( 1s2) and Argon, 1sAr ( 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6) the spins are said to be paired. These
elements are not attracted to magnets and are said to be diamagnetic. On the other
hand, elements made up of atoms with unpaired electron like sO (1s2 2s2 2p4) and
Sodium, uNa (1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1) are paramagnetic; that is, they are attracted to
magnetic field.

Writing Electron Configuration of Atoms

The arrangement of electrons in an atom is called the atom’s electronic
configuration. The electron configuration of an atom or element describes how
electrons are distributed in its atomic orbitals. Since low-energy systems are more
stable than high-energy systems, electrons in an atom tend to assume the
arrangement that gives the atom the lowest energy possible. The most stable,
lowest-energy arrangement of the electrons is called ground-state electron
configuration of an element.

This notation for the distribution of electrons in the atomic orbitals of atoms
came into practice shortly after the Bohr model of the atom was presented by Ernest
Rutherford and Niels Bohr in the year 1913.
Electron configurations are based primarily on three principles: the Aufbau
principle, the Pauli exclusion principle, and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle or
Hund’s Rule. These principles define how electrons can be arranged in the orbitals of
an atom.

The Aufbau Principle

Aufbau principle is named after the German word “Aufbeen” which means
“build up”. The Aufbau principle dictates that electrons will occupy the orbitals

5 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module7

having lower energies before occupying higher energy orbitals based on the principal
energy levels and sublevels where they are in. The principal energy levels are
assigned values from one to seven in the order of increasing energy: n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…
as they get farther from the nucleus.

Thus, the lowest energy orbital is the 1s orbital, which is the only orbital that
makes up the only sublevel in the first principal energy level (n = 1), the energy level
nearest the nucleus. The four sublevels are the s, p, d, and f where s sublevel is the
lowest energy sublevel while f sublevel is the highest energy sublevel.
Therefore, the first step in determining an element’s ground-state electron
configuration is learning the correct sequence of atomic orbitals from lowest energy
to the highest energy.

According to this principle, electrons are filled in the following order: 1s, 2s,
2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p… The order in which
electrons are filled in atomic orbitals as per the Aufbau principle is illustrated below:

Figure 1. Mnemonic Device of Electron Configuration

The Pauli Exclusion Principle

Electrons in orbitals can be represented by arrows in boxes. An electron is
able to spin in only one of the two directions. An arrow pointing up represents an
electron which is spinning in one direction, and an arrow pointing down means
that the electron is spinning in the opposite direction. An empty box represents
an unoccupied orbital, a box containing a single up arrow indicates an orbital
with one electron, while a box containing both up and down arrows represents a
filled orbital.

The Pauli exclusion principle states that “a maximum of two electrons, each
having opposite spins, can fit in a single atomic orbital.” Wolfgang Pauli (1900-1958),
an Austrian physicist, proposed this principle after observing atoms in excited states.
Pauli’s Exclusion Principle can be tested by simple observation.
Measurements of magnetic properties provide the most direct evidence for specific
electronic configurations of elements. Paramagnetic materials are those that
contain unpaired electrons or spins and are attracted by a magnet. Diamagnetic
materials are those with paired spins and are repelled by a magnet. Any atom with

6 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module7

an odd number of electrons will contain one or more unpaired spins, and are
therefore attracted by a magnet, thus, can be classified as paramagnetic. For an even
number of electrons like helium, if the two electrons in the 1s orbitals had parallel
spins, their net magnetic fields should strengthen each other. But experimental
results showed that the helium atom in its ground state has no net magnetic field.
This observation supports the pairing of two electrons with opposite spins in the 1s
orbital. Thus, helium gas is diamagnetic. Lithium, on the other hand, has an
unpaired electron and is paramagnetic. The orbital diagram provides information
on the diamagnetic or paramagnetic characteristic of an element.

Hund’s Rule of Maximum Multiplicity

This rule describes the order in which electrons are filled in all the orbitals
belonging to a subshell. It states that “every orbital in a given subshell are singly
occupied by electrons before a second electron is filled in an orbital.” This means that
single electrons with the same spin must occupy each equal-energy orbital before
additional electrons with opposite spins can occupy the same orbitals.
Examples:
(1) (2) 3) (4)

Explore

To master these concepts, here are some activities

prepared for you! Keep going! You can do it!

Activity 2: Complete Me!

Direction: Write the electron configuration of the given elements in a separate sheet
of paper.

Atom Electron Configuration Atom Electron Configuration

19 K 15 P

26 Fe 17 Cl

25 Mn 11 Na

20 Ca 21 Sc

14 Si 10 Ne

7 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module7

Activity 3. Let’s Do It!
Direction: Write first the electron configuration of the following atoms, and then
identify the magnetic property based on the electron configuration. Write
your answers on a separate paper.

Atoms Electron Configuration Magnetic Property

(Paramagnetic/Diamagneti
8O

11Na

29Cu

25Mn

2He

You are really doing great! That’s amazing!

Deepen

At this point, continue assessing your learning by answering the activity

below in you separate sheet of paper.
Activity 4: “The Reason is Configuration”
1. What type of magnetic property is described in the electron configuration of iron?
______________________________________________________________________________

2. When the iron (Fe) is used as a component of objects like hair pins, needles, and
paper clips, the objects are attracted by magnets. Prove that the presence of iron
(Fe) in them is the cause of the magnetic property by writing the electron
configuration of 26Fe.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

3. How many unpaired electrons does Fe have?

_______________________________________________________________________________

8 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module7

 Gauge

Direction: Write the CAPITAL letter of the correct answer on a separate paper.

1. Which of the following defines the spin quantum number?

A. The orientation or shape of the orbital the electron is in.
B. The orientation of orbitals around the nucleus.
C. The energy level the electron is in.
D. The direction of electron spin.
2. What does magnetic quantum number (mt) refer to?
A. The orientation or shape of the orbital the electron is in.
B. The orientation of orbitals around the nucleus.
C. The energy level the electron is in.
D. The direction of electron spin.
3. What does angular quantum number (l) refer to?
A. The orientation or shape of the orbital the electron is in.
B. The orientation of orbitals around the nucleus.
C. The energy level the electron is in.
D. The direction of electron spin.
4. Which of the following defines the principal quantum number (n)?
A. The orientation or shape of the orbital the electron is in.
B. The orientation of orbitals around the nucleus.
C. The energy level the electron is in.
D. The direction of electron spin.
5. How many electrons can an orbital n=2 hold up to?
A. 2 B. 8 C. 11 D. 18
6. What principal quantum number can an electron in an f sublevel have?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
7. How many orientation does the s orbital can have?
A. 1 B. 3 C. 5 D. 7
8. What quantum number describes the shape of an orbital?
A. angular (I) B. principal
C. magnetic (mt) D. spin (ms)
9. Which of the following is the correct electron configuration of oxygen atom?
A. 1s22s12p3 B. 1s2 2s2 2p4
C. 1s 2s 2p6
2 2
D. 1s2 2s2 3p4
10. What is the electron configuration of 5B?
A. 1s2 2s3 B. 1s2 2s2 2p1 C. [Ne] 2s1 D. [Ne] 2p1
11.Which of the following describes a diamagnetic atom?
A. An atom attracted to a magnetic field.
B. An atom where all the electrons are paired.
C. An atom where some of the electrons are paired.
D. An atom where none of the electrons are paired.
12.Which of the following electron configuration is an example of diamagnetic atom?
A. 1s22s2 2p4 B. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9
C. 1s 2s 2p 3s
2 2 6 1
D. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2

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13.Which of the following electron configuration is an example of paramagnetic
atom?
A. 1s2 B.1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5
C. 1s 2s 2p 3s
2 2 6 2
D.1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9
14. The word Aufbau means building up in German. Which of the following describes
Aufbau Principle?
A. Electrons with the same spin cannot occupy the same orbital.
B. Since electrons repel each other, electrons will occupy single orbitals
within and energy level before doubling up.
C. Electrons fill lower energy levels first before occupying higher energy
levels.
D. Electrons fill higher energy levels first before occupying lower energy
levels.
15.Which of the following statements about the mnemonic device or chart of
electronic configuration is FALSE?
A. The sublevel with the highest energy is s orbital.
B. The number of principal energy level is increasing.
C. The maximum number of electrons in the p-orbital is six.
D. The maximum number of electrons in the s-orbital is two.

Congratulations!!! You did very well in this

module!!! You are now ready to learn and discover the
next module!

10 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module7

Answer Key

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References
A. Books

Buthelezi, Thandi, Laurel Dingrando, Nicholas Hainen, Cheryl Wistrom, and Dina
Zike. Chemistry Matter and Change. Quezon City, Metro Manila: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc. 2013.

Cervantes, Charry Vida R. and Dizon, Reynald D. General Chemistry 1 for Senior
Highj School (Specialized Subjects for STEM Strand). Manila, Philippines: LORIMAR
Publishing Inc.2008.

Ilao, Luciana V., Bettey M. Lontoc, and Edwehna Elinore S. Paderna-Gayon.

General Chemistry 1. Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc. 2016.

Reyes, Armida Bernaldo et. al. General Inorganic and Organic Chemistry for
Health-Related Programs. Dagupan City, Philippines: SLA Publishing House, 2008.

B. Government Publications

Commission on Higher Education. Teaching Guide for Senior High School General
Chemistry 1. n.d.

C. Online and Electronic Sources

https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/general/quantum numbe rs/Quantum

Numbers.pdf

https: //www.riverdell.org/cms/lib05/NJ01001380/Centricity/Domai
n/98/quantum%20numbers%20tutorial%20and%20practice.pdf

https://reviewgamezone.com/mc/candidate/test/?test id=34542&titl
e=Quantum%20Numbers

https: //www.chemicool.com/definition/pauli-exclusion- principle.html

https: //socratic.org/questions/55d55b3b581e2a3e8fbccd81

https: //study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-diamagnetism-
paramagnetism.html

https: //www.britannica.com/science/orbital

https: //www.liverpool.ac.uk/~ngreeves/ltfdemo/jmol/p-orbitals.htm

https: //www.qsstudy.com/chemistry/explain-shape-d-orbitals

“Aufbau Principle.” Accessed October 20, 2020.

https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-chemistry-flexbook- 2.0/ section
/5.15/primary /lesson /aufbau-principle-chem. 2019.

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“Aufbau Principle.” Accessed October 22, 2020. https://chemistrygod.com/aufbau-
principle. 2020.

“Electron Configuration.” Accessed October 19, 2020.

https://byjus.com/chemistry/electron-configuration/. n.d.

“Electron Configuration of Cations and Anions.” Accessed October 22, 2020.

https: //courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem /
chapter/electron-configuration- of-cations-and-anions/. n.d.

Hatthori, H. and R. H. Langley. “Writing Electron Configurations.” Accessed

October19,2020.
https://www.dummies.com/education/science/chemistry/writing-electron-
configurations/. n.d.

“Ionic Lewis Dot Structures.” Accessed October 23, 2020.

http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/bonding/IonicLewisDots.htm. n.d.

“Rubric for All Creative Art Assignment.” Accessed October 23, 2020.
“The Electron Configurations of Atoms.” Accessed October 19, 2020.
http://www.chem.uiuc.edu/rogers/Text5/Tx54/tx54.html. n.d.

“Valence electrons.” Accessed October 21, 2020.

https: //chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch8/index.php.
n.d

“Valence electrons and open valences.” Accessed October 22, 2020.

https: //chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Purdue/Purdue%3A_Chem_26505%3A_Orga
nic_Chemistry_I_(Lipton) /Chapter_1._Electronic_Structure_and_Chemical_Bonding
/1.03_Valence_electrons_and_open_valences. 2019.

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14 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module7