Name _______ KEY __________________________________ Date _________ Period ______
Quantum Numbers
1.
What do quantum numbers describe?

Quantum numbers describe the probable locations of electrons in an atom.
2.
Which quantum number determines the size of the atomic orbital? ___ n ___
3.
Which quantum number determines the shape of the atomic orbital? ___ l ___
4.
How many electrons can be held in one orbital of any suborbital? ___ 2 ___
5.
Complete the table below:
6.
1
2
p
3
6
d
5
10
f
7
14
A 1p suborbital will not exist because only 2 electrons can be held in the first
energy level.
The 4s suborbital has a larger volume than the 1s. Both are spherical, but 4s is
larger than 1s.
The lowest energy level for d orbitals is n = 3, while the lowest for f orbitals is
n=4.
Why is it so difficult to find the exact location of an electron?

10.
s
What is the lowest energy level that can have d orbitals? What about f orbitals?

9.
Total Number of
Electrons
What is the difference between a 1s suborbital and a 4s suborbital?

8.
Number of Orbitals
Can a 1p suborbital exist? Why or why not?

7.
Suborbital Letter
It is difficult to find the exact location of an electron because they move so
quickly. They would appear like a spinning fan. Also, electrons can’t be seen.
What is Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle? How does it relate to the concept of
quantum numbers?

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle states that the more you know of an atom’s
location, the less you know about its movement. This explains why quantum
numbers describe the probable location of electrons, rather than exact locations.