Question

The electron that has the quantum numbers $n=3$ and $m_l=2$

• A. must have spin quantum number value +1/2
• B. can have l = 2, 3 and 4
• C. can have l = 0 and 1
• D. can have l=2

Answer 1

The correct option is D can have l=2

Option a is not correct since it is says spin quantum number can only be +1/2 but it can be both +1/2 and -1/2

Option b is not correct since for a given value of n, l varies from 0 to $(n-1)$. Hence for n= 3, l may be 0, 1, 2 but cannot be greater than 2.

Option c is not correct since for a given l value, $m_l$ ranges from -l to +l. Hence for l= 0 or 1, $m_l=2$ is not possible.

Option d is correct since l=2 is possible for both n=3 and m=2.