2.31 How many electrons in an atom may have the following quantum numbers?

(a) n = 4, ms = – ½ (b) n = 3, l = 0

(a) Total number of electrons in an atom for a value of n = 2n2
 For n = 4,
Total number of electrons = 2 (4)2 = 32
The given element has a fully filled orbital as 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10.
Hence, all the electrons are paired.
 Number of electrons (having n = 4 and m, = -12) = 16

(b) n = 3, l = 0 indicates that the electrons are present in the 3s orbital. Therefore, the number of electrons having n = 3 and l = 0 is 2.