Principal quantum

number

In quantum mechanics, the principal

quantum number (symbolized n) is one of
four quantum numbers which are assigned
to each electron in an atom to describe
that electron's state. As a discrete variable,
the principal quantum number is always
an integer. As n increases, the number of
electronic shells increases and the
electron spends more time farther from
the nucleus. As n increases, the electron is
also at a higher potential energy and is
therefore less tightly bound to the nucleus.

The principal quantum number was first

created for use in the semiclassical Bohr
model of the atom, distinguishing between
different energy levels. With the
development of modern quantum
mechanics, the simple Bohr model was
replaced with a more complex theory of
atomic orbitals. However, modern theory
still requires the principal quantum
number. Apart from the principal quantum
number, the other quantum numbers for
bound electrons are the azimuthal
quantum number, the magnetic quantum
number, and the spin quantum number.

For an analogy, one could imagine a

multistoried building with an elevator
structure. The building has an integer
number of floors, and a (well-functioning)
elevator which can only stop at a particular
floor. Furthermore, the elevator can only
travel an integer number of levels. As with
the principal quantum number, higher
numbers are associated with higher
potential energy.
Beyond this point the analogy breaks
down; in the case of elevators the potential
energy is gravitational but with the
quantum number it is electromagnetic.
The gains and losses in energy are
approximate with the elevator, but precise
with quantum state. The elevator ride from
floor to floor is continuous whereas
quantum transitions are discontinuous.
Finally the constraints of elevator design
are imposed by the requirements of
architecture, but quantum behavior
reflects fundamental laws of physics.

Derivation
There are a set of quantum numbers
associated with the energy states of the
atom. The four quantum numbers n, ℓ, m,
and s specify the complete and unique
quantum state of a single electron in an
atom, called its wave function or orbital.
Two electrons belonging to the same atom
can not have the same four quantum
numbers, due to the Pauli exclusion
principle. The wave function of the
Schrödinger wave equation reduces to the
three equations that when solved lead to
the first three quantum numbers.
Therefore, the equations for the first three
quantum numbers are all interrelated. The
principal quantum number arose in the
solution of the radial part of the wave
equation as shown below.

The Schrödinger wave equation describes

energy eigenstates with corresponding
real numbers En and a definite total energy,
the value of En. The bound state energies
of the electron in the hydrogen atom are
given by:

The parameter n can take only positive

integer values. The concept of energy
levels and notation were taken from the
earlier Bohr model of the atom.
Schrödinger's equation developed the idea
from a flat two-dimensional Bohr atom to
the three-dimensional wave function
model.

In the Bohr model, the allowed orbits were

derived from quantized (discrete) values
of orbital angular momentum, L according
to the equation

where n = 1, 2, 3, … and is called the

principal quantum number, and h is
Planck's constant. This formula is not
correct in quantum mechanics as the
angular momentum magnitude is
described by the azimuthal quantum
number, but the energy levels are accurate
and classically they correspond to the sum
of potential and kinetic energy of the
electron.

The principal quantum number n

represents the relative overall energy of
each orbital. The energy level of each
orbital increases as its distance from the
nucleus increases. The sets of orbitals
with the same n value are often referred to
as electron shells or energy levels.
The minimum energy exchanged during
any wave-matter interaction is the product
of the wave frequency multiplied by
Planck's constant. This causes the wave to
display particle-like packets of energy
called quanta. The difference between
energy levels that have different n
determine the Emission spectrum of the
element.

In the notation of the periodic table, the

main shells of electrons are labeled:

K (n = 1), L (n = 2), M (n = 3), etc.

based on the principal quantum number.

The principal quantum number is related
to the radial quantum number, nr, by:

where ℓ is the azimuthal quantum number

and nr is equal to the number of nodes in
the radial wavefunction.

See also
Basic quantum mechanics
Hydrogen-like atom
Schrödinger equation
Total angular momentum quantum
number
External links
Periodic Table Applet: showing principal
and azimuthal quantum number for
each element <-- is no longer available

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