[SchoolBoyDJ]

I'm having some trouble understanding a type of question about electrons in an element.  I'm simply reviewing topics from last semester because out final this semester is a cumulative of last semester and this semester (who signed me up for this?).  I understand a question such as the following: What is the maximum # of electrons that can have the following sets of quantum #s?  And then she'll name of n=2 , l= 1 etc etc...I understand those.  The question I'm getting confused on is:

1.  How many total electrons does Bi contain having n=4?

2.  How many total e- does P contrail having n=3, l=1?

And there are many more of the same type.

For question 1 all I thought I'd have to do is 2n^2, 32 e-, which is correct.

#2 ml= -1, 0, 1...3 possibilities of ml, 2 posibilies of ms each makes 6 electrons...However the answer is 3...


Can someone explain this to me please 

Thanks!

[enahs]

For question 2, you figure out how many electrons are possible in the P-shell. Correct?
l=1 is P-shell, no?

However, look at the periodic chart. How many electrons are actually in the P-shell for Phosphorus?

[SchoolBoyDJ]

Wow.  LoL  it's the easy ones that stump ya sometimes   Overthinking things is easy to do in chem I guess >_>

Thanks!