The Electron Configuration of Aluminum

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 101 views

Introduction to Quantum Numbers

In chemistry, quantum numbers are used to describe the energy, shape, and orientation of atomic orbitals. These numbers are essential in understanding the electron configuration of atoms and molecules. The four quantum numbers are:

Principal Quantum Number (n): This number describes the energy level or shell of the electron.
Azimuthal Quantum Number (l): This number describes the shape of the orbital.
Magnetic Quantum Number (m): This number describes the orientation of the orbital in space.
Spin Quantum Number (s): This number describes the spin of the electron.

The Electron Configuration of Aluminum

Aluminum has an atomic number of 13, which means it has 13 electrons. The electron configuration of aluminum is:

1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1

This configuration indicates that the first two electrons are in the 1s orbital, the next two electrons are in the 2s orbital, the next six electrons are in the 2p orbitals, the next two electrons are in the 3s orbital, and the last electron is in the 3p orbital.

The Second Quantum Number (l)

The second quantum number, also known as the azimuthal quantum number, describes the shape of the orbital. The possible values of l are:

0: s-orbital (spherical shape)
1: p-orbital (dumbbell shape)
2: d-orbital (four-leaf clover shape)
3: f-orbital (complex shape)

Determining the Second Quantum Number of the 3p^1 Electron

The 3p^1 electron is in the 3p orbital, which has a dumbbell shape. Therefore, the second quantum number (l) of the 3p^1 electron is 1.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the second quantum number of the 3p^1 electron in aluminum is 1. This is because the 3p orbital has a dumbbell shape, which corresponds to a value of l = 1.

Answer

The correct answer is C. $I = 1$

Additional Information

The principal quantum number (n) of the 3p^1 electron is 3.
The magnetic quantum number (m) of the 3p^1 electron can be -1, 0, or 1.
The spin quantum number (s) of the 3p^1 electron is 1/2.

References

Atkins, P. W., & De Paula, J. (2010). Physical chemistry. Oxford University Press.
Cotton, F. A. (2006). Chemical applications of group theory. John Wiley & Sons.
Levine, I. N. (2009). Quantum chemistry. Prentice Hall.

Q: What is the difference between the principal quantum number (n) and the azimuthal quantum number (l)?

A: The principal quantum number (n) describes the energy level or shell of the electron, while the azimuthal quantum number (l) describes the shape of the orbital.

Q: What are the possible values of the azimuthal quantum number (l)?

A: The possible values of l are:

0: s-orbital (spherical shape)
1: p-orbital (dumbbell shape)
2: d-orbital (four-leaf clover shape)
3: f-orbital (complex shape)

Q: How do I determine the azimuthal quantum number (l) of an electron?

A: To determine the azimuthal quantum number (l) of an electron, you need to know the orbital it is in. For example, if the electron is in a 2p orbital, the azimuthal quantum number (l) is 1.

Q: What is the relationship between the azimuthal quantum number (l) and the magnetic quantum number (m)?

A: The magnetic quantum number (m) is related to the azimuthal quantum number (l) by the equation:

m = -l to +l

For example, if l = 1, the possible values of m are -1, 0, and 1.

Q: What is the significance of the spin quantum number (s)?

A: The spin quantum number (s) describes the spin of the electron. It can have a value of 1/2 or -1/2, which determines the electron's magnetic moment.

Q: Can an electron have a value of l = 0?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of l = 0. This corresponds to an s-orbital, which has a spherical shape.

Q: Can an electron have a value of l = 1?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of l = 1. This corresponds to a p-orbital, which has a dumbbell shape.

Q: Can an electron have a value of l = 2?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of l = 2. This corresponds to a d-orbital, which has a four-leaf clover shape.

Q: Can an electron have a value of l = 3?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of l = 3. This corresponds to an f-orbital, which has a complex shape.

Q: What is the relationship between the azimuthal quantum number (l) and the orbital angular momentum (L)?

A: The orbital angular momentum (L) is related to the azimuthal quantum number (l) by the equation:

L = √(l(l+1)) ħ

where ħ is the reduced Planck constant.

Q: What is the significance of the orbital angular momentum (L)?

A: The orbital angular momentum (L) is a measure of the electron's orbital motion around the nucleus. It is related to the electron's energy and is an important concept in quantum mechanics.

Q: Can an electron have a value of L = 0?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of L = 0. This corresponds to an s-orbital, which has a spherical shape.

Q: Can an electron have a value of L = 1?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of L = 1. This corresponds to a p-orbital, which has a dumbbell shape.

Q: Can an electron have a value of L = 2?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of L = 2. This corresponds to a d-orbital, which has a four-leaf clover shape.

Q: Can an electron have a value of L = 3?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of L = 3. This corresponds to an f-orbital, which has a complex shape.

Q: What is the relationship between the orbital angular momentum (L) and the spin angular momentum (S)?

A: The spin angular momentum (S) is related to the orbital angular momentum (L) by the equation:

S = √(s(s+1)) ħ

where ħ is the reduced Planck constant.

Q: What is the significance of the spin angular momentum (S)?

A: The spin angular momentum (S) is a measure of the electron's spin. It is related to the electron's energy and is an important concept in quantum mechanics.

Q: Can an electron have a value of S = 0?

A: No, an electron cannot have a value of S = 0. The spin quantum number (s) is always 1/2 or -1/2.

Q: Can an electron have a value of S = 1?

A: No, an electron cannot have a value of S = 1. The spin quantum number (s) is always 1/2 or -1/2.

Q: Can an electron have a value of S = 2?

A: No, an electron cannot have a value of S = 2. The spin quantum number (s) is always 1/2 or -1/2.

Q: What is the relationship between the spin angular momentum (S) and the total angular momentum (J)?

A: The total angular momentum (J) is related to the spin angular momentum (S) by the equation:

J = √(j(j+1)) ħ

where ħ is the reduced Planck constant.

Q: What is the significance of the total angular momentum (J)?

A: The total angular momentum (J) is a measure of the electron's total angular momentum. It is related to the electron's energy and is an important concept in quantum mechanics.

Q: Can an electron have a value of J = 0?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of J = 0. This corresponds to a state with no orbital or spin angular momentum.

Q: Can an electron have a value of J = 1?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of J = 1. This corresponds to a state with orbital or spin angular momentum.

Q: Can an electron have a value of J = 2?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of J = 2. This corresponds to a state with orbital or spin angular momentum.

Q: Can an electron have a value of J = 3?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of J = 3. This corresponds to a state with orbital or spin angular momentum.

Q: What is the relationship between the total angular momentum (J) and the magnetic moment (μ)?

A: The magnetic moment (μ) is related to the total angular momentum (J) by the equation:

μ = gJ

where g is the g-factor.

Q: What is the significance of the magnetic moment (μ)?

A: The magnetic moment (μ) is a measure of the electron's magnetic properties. It is related to the electron's energy and is an important concept in quantum mechanics.

Q: Can an electron have a value of μ = 0?

A: No, an electron cannot have a value of μ = 0. The magnetic moment (μ) is always non-zero.

Q: Can an electron have a value of μ = 1?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of μ = 1. This corresponds to a state with a non-zero magnetic moment.

Q: Can an electron have a value of μ = 2?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of μ = 2. This corresponds to a state with a non-zero magnetic moment.

Q: Can an electron have a value of μ = 3?

A: Yes, an electron can have a value of μ = 3. This corresponds to a state with a non-zero magnetic moment.

Q: What is the relationship between the magnetic moment (μ) and the spin angular momentum (S)?

A: The magnetic moment (μ) is related to the spin angular momentum (S) by the equation:

μ = gS

where g is the g-factor.

Q: What is the significance of the spin angular momentum (S)?

A: The spin angular momentum (S) is a measure of the electron's spin. It is related to the electron's energy and is an important concept in quantum mechanics.

Q: Can an electron have a value of S = 0?

A: No, an electron cannot have a value of S = 0. The spin quantum number (s) is always 1/2 or -1/2.

Q: Can an electron have a value of S = 1?

A: No, an electron cannot have a value of S = 1. The spin quantum number (s) is always 1/2 or -1/2.

Q: Can an electron have a value of S = 2?

A: No, an electron cannot have a value of S = 2. The spin quantum number (s) is always 1/2 or -1/2.