2003 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 98: Science and Technology

Regarding the atom of a chemical element, the magnetic quantum number refers to

aorientation
bshape
csize
dspin

AnswerThe answer is (a).

The magnetic quantum number gives the orientation of an orbital in space relative to an external magnetic field; for a subshell with azimuthal quantum number l, it takes values from -l to +l. The principal quantum number gives size and energy, the azimuthal quantum number gives shape, and the spin quantum number gives the electron's spin.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Correct: orientation.
  • (b) Shape is given by the azimuthal quantum number l.
  • (c) Size and energy are given by the principal quantum number n.
  • (d) Spin is given by the spin quantum number.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.