Question

Write a short note on magnetic orbital quantum number (m_l).

Answer 1

Magnetic orbital quantum number (m_l) :

• Magnetic orbital quantum number describes the relative spatial orientation of the orbitals in a given subshell.
• It is denoted by m; and it has values from -l to +l through zero, giving total values or total orientations equal to (2l + 1).
• For s-subshell, 1 = 0, hence, m = 0. Thus, s-subshell contains only one orbital.
• For p-subshell, l = 1, hence, m = +1, 0, -1. Thus, p-subshell contains three orbitals having distinct orientations.