The ground state electronic configuration of a neon atom is 1s²2s²2p⁶. How many of these electrons have magnetic quantum number m_l = 0? A)2 B)4 C)6 D)8 E)10

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The magnetic quantum number mS1U1B1lS1U1B0 = 0 signifies that the electrons have no component of angular momentum along the z-axis (since l = 0). The electrons in the neon atom with this configuration have the following quantum numbers:

1sS1U1P1: ms = +1/2 or -1/2 (2 electrons)
2sS1U1P1: ms = +1/2 or -1/2 (2 electrons)
2pS1U1P1: ms = +1/2 or -1/2 (2 electrons)

Therefore, a total of 6 electrons have the magnetic quantum number mS1U1B1lS1U1B0 = 0.

The Ground State Electronic Configuration of a Neon Atom Is