Question

What is the magnetic quantum number of the orbital 2pz?

(a) 1

(b) ±1

(c) -1

(d) 0

I had been asked this question in an interview for internship.

My doubt stems from Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom topic in section Structure of Atom of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

Right option is (d) 0

To elaborate: The magnetic quantum of an orbital range from -( l – 1) to l – 1. Its symbol is given by m. For 2p orbital, there are 3 magnetic quantum numbers namely -1, 0 and 1. For 2pz orbital its 0, taken that z is the internuclear axis.