Core Logic
Evaluate constraints set by the given quantum numbers to find available electron slots. Each unique orbital (n, l, ml)$(n, l, m_l)$ can hold exactly 2 electrons of opposite spin.
Step 1: Constraint A
For (A) n = 5$n = 5$, ml = -1$m_l = -1$:
The possible azimuthal quantum numbers l$l$ range from 0$0$ to n-1 = 4$n-1 = 4$.
However, ml$m_l$ goes from -l$-l$ to +l$+l$. For ml = -1$m_l = -1$ to exist, l$l$ must be at least 1$1$.
Possible l$l$ values: l=1, l=2, l=3, l=4$l=1, l=2, l=3, l=4$.
Each of these subshells (5p, 5d, 5f, 5g$5p, 5d, 5f, 5g$) contains exactly one orbital where ml = -1$m_l = -1$.
Total orbitals = 4$4$.
Total electrons = 4 orbitals × 2 e^- /orbital = 8 electrons$4 \text{ orbitals} \times 2 \text{ e}^- \text{/orbital} = 8 \text{ electrons}$.
Step 2: Constraint B
For (B) n = 3, l = 2, ml = -1, mₛ = +(1)/(2)$n = 3, l = 2, m_l = -1, m_s = +\frac{1}{2}$:
This completely specifies all four quantum numbers for a single state. Pauli's Exclusion Principle states no two electrons can have the same four quantum numbers.
Therefore, exactly 1 electron is possible.
Pattern Recognition
If n$n$ and ml ≠ 0$m_l \neq 0$ are given, count how many l$l$ values are ≥ |ml|$\ge |m_l|$. For n=5$n=5$ and ml=-1$m_l=-1$, l in 1,2,3,4$l \in \{1,2,3,4\}$. That's 4 orbitals, 8 electrons.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Chemistry: Structure of Atom