To determine the number of electrons with a spin quantum Number of s=+21 in all completely filled subshells with Principal quantum number n=4, we must first identify the subshells in the n=4 shell and then calculate the electrons with the specified spin.
The n=4 shell has the following subshells and their capacity for electrons:
- 4s subshell can hold 2 electrons
- 4p subshell can hold 6 electrons
- 4d subshell can hold 10 electrons
- 4f subshell can hold 14 electrons
In quantum mechanics, each orbital within these subshells can hold 2 electrons, Each with opposite spins (+21 and −21) Thus, in a completely filled subshell Half of the electrons will have a spin quantum number of +21:
- In 4s, 1 out of 2 electrons will have s=+21
- In 4p, 3 out of 6 electrons will have s=+21
- In 4d, 5 out of 10 electrons will have s=+21
- In 4f, 7 out of 14 electrons will have s=+21
Adding these together: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16 electrons with s=+21 in all completely filled subshells with n=4.