Question

For which one of the following sets of four quantum numbers, an electron will have the highest energy? 

• A. \( 3 | 2| 1 |  +\frac{1}{2} \)
• B. \(| 4 | 2 | 1 |  +\frac{1}{2}\)
• C. \(| 4 | 1 | 0 |  +\frac{1}{2} \)
• D. \(| 5 | 0 | 0 |  +\frac{1}{2} \)

Hint:

The energy of an electron in an atom is primarily determined by the sum of the principal quantum number (\( n \)) and the azimuthal quantum number (\( l \)). The higher the value of \( n + l \), the higher the energy.