An electron in a hydrogen atom has orbital quantum number l = 4.How many possible values of the magnetic quantum number m_l could it have? A) 4 B) 10 C) 5 D) 9 E) 3

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The magnetic quantum number m_l is given by the equation -l ≤ m ≤ l. Therefore, for l = 4, there are 2l + 1 possible values of m, or 2(4) + 1 = 9. The answer is therefore D, with 9 possible values of m.

An Electron in a Hydrogen Atom Has Orbital Quantum Number