Identify the set of four quantum numbers that could represent the electron lost to form the K ION from the K atom. A)n = 3, l = 1, m_l = 1, m_s = - B)n = 4, l = 1, m_l = 1, m_s = + C)n = 4, l = 4, m_l = 0, m_s = - D)n = 4, l = 0, m_l = 0, m_s = + E)n = 3, l = 0, m_l = 1, m_s = +

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electron lost from the K atom forms the K+ ion, which means it loses one electron. The electron that is most likely to be lost is the highest energy electron, which is in the 4s orbital. Therefore, the value of n is 4. The value of l for the 4s orbital is 0. The value of ms is +1/2 or -1/2, but since the electron is being lost, the value of ms should be +1/2. The value of ml can be any value from -l to l, so for the 4s orbital, the value of ml is 0. Therefore, the set of four quantum numbers that could represent the electron lost from the K atom is n=4, l=0, ms=+1/2, ml=0, which is represented by choice D.

Identify the Set of Four Quantum Numbers That Could Represent