Question

In an atom of calcium, how many electrons have: L = 0 and ML = 1?

Answer 1

n = principal quantum number, defines the energy level of the electron.

L (usually lowercase) = the energy sublevel, values range from 0 up to (n-1); 0=for S-orbital, 1=for p-orbital, 2=for d-Orbital, 3=for f-orbitals

ML= orbital within a sublevel. range from -L through 0 to +L

Electron configuration of Calcium = 1s2, 2s2 2p6, 3s2 3p6, 4s2

It has 8 electrons in the four s-orbitals, which in turn have the L quantum number equal to zero.

A value of 1 for ML refers to electrons in the L=1 sublevel, or p-sublevel. Therefore, Ca will have 4 electrons in orbitals where ML can equal to 1.