Which two values can the spin magnetic quantum number (Ms) have?

Prepare for the ACS Inorganic Chemistry Exam. Study using flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations.

The spin magnetic quantum number (Ms) is associated with the intrinsic angular momentum, or spin, of an electron within an atom. The values of Ms reflect the two possible orientations of a single electron's spin. These orientations are typically denoted as "spin-up" and "spin-down," which correspond mathematically to the values +1/2 and -1/2, respectively.

This is fundamental to understanding the behavior of electrons in atoms, specifically in terms of their electronic configuration and how they occupy orbitals according to the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers. The allowed values of the spin quantum number are thus limited to these two possibilities, +1/2 and -1/2, making this choice the correct one.

The other options do not accurately represent the values of the spin magnetic quantum number; for instance, both 0 and 1 are not valid as Ms values, nor are 1 and -1, which are typically associated with other quantum numbers or concepts in quantum mechanics. Additionally, a value of 1/2 and 0 cannot represent the spin of an electron since, as previously mentioned, the spin can only be +1/

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