Give the maximum number of electrons in an atom that can have these quantum numbers.

1. n = 3, ℓ = 2, mℓ = -1, ms = 1/2
2. n = 2, ℓ = 1, mℓ = -1, ms = -1/2

I think your question is nonsense. Surely it can be stated in a better way. As I see it #1 must have a minimum of 18 electrons to have n = 3 and l = 2. But any number of electrons above that number of 18 is possible and all of those combinations will have an electron with ml = -1 and ms of 1/2. Have I misinterpreted your question? I don't think it's possible for a maximum number unless you use the end of the periodic table.

To find the maximum number of electrons an atom can have with the given quantum numbers, we need to use the following rules:

1. The principal quantum number (n) corresponds to the energy level or shell. It can have integer values from 1 to infinity.
2. The angular momentum quantum number (ℓ) corresponds to the subshell and takes values from 0 to n-1. Each subshell can hold a maximum of 4ℓ + 2 electrons.
3. The magnetic quantum number (mℓ) specifies the orientation of the orbital within a subshell. It can have values ranging from -ℓ to +ℓ.
4. The spin quantum number (ms) represents the spin of an electron and can have values of either +1/2 (spin-up) or -1/2 (spin-down).

Let's apply these rules to the given quantum numbers:

1. For n = 3, ℓ = 2, mℓ = -1, ms = 1/2:
The electron is in the 3rd shell (n = 3), which means it is in the 3rd energy level.
The electron is in the d subshell (ℓ = 2), which can hold a maximum of 4ℓ + 2 = 4(2) + 2 = 10 electrons.
The electron has mℓ = -1, which indicates that it is in one of the five d orbitals (-2, -1, 0, 1, 2).
The electron has ms = 1/2, meaning it has a spin-up orientation.

Therefore, the maximum number of electrons with these quantum numbers is 1.

2. For n = 2, ℓ = 1, mℓ = -1, ms = -1/2:
The electron is in the 2nd shell (n = 2), which means it is in the 2nd energy level.
The electron is in the p subshell (ℓ = 1), which can hold a maximum of 4ℓ + 2 = 4(1) + 2 = 6 electrons.
The electron has mℓ = -1, which indicates that it is in one of the three p orbitals (-1, 0, 1).
The electron has ms = -1/2, meaning it has a spin-down orientation.

Therefore, the maximum number of electrons with these quantum numbers is 2.

To summarize:
1. n = 3, ℓ = 2, mℓ = -1, ms = 1/2 -> Maximum number of electrons = 1
2. n = 2, ℓ = 1, mℓ = -1, ms = -1/2 -> Maximum number of electrons = 2

To determine the maximum number of electrons in an atom that can have specific quantum numbers, we need to follow the rules defined by the Pauli Exclusion Principle and the Aufbau Principle.

1. Quantum numbers: n = 3, ℓ = 2, mℓ = -1, ms = 1/2
According to the Pauli Exclusion Principle, each electron in an atom must have a unique set of quantum numbers. Therefore, to find the maximum number of electrons with these quantum numbers, we first need to find the maximum values for each quantum number.

- Principal quantum number (n): In this case, n = 3. The maximum number of electrons in each energy level can be calculated using the formula 2n^2. So, for n = 3, the maximum number of electrons in this energy level is 2(3)^2 = 18.
- Azimuthal quantum number (ℓ): For ℓ = 2, the maximum number of electrons in the subshell is given by the formula 2(2ℓ + 1). Therefore, for ℓ = 2, the maximum number of electrons in this subshell is 2(2(2) + 1) = 10.
- Magnetic quantum number (mℓ): Since mℓ = -1, it represents a specific orbital in the subshell. Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, one with a spin-up and the other with a spin-down. Hence, the maximum number of electrons in this orbital is 2.
- Electron spin quantum number (ms): This quantum number can have two values, +1/2 or -1/2, representing the two possible spins of an electron. Each orbital can accommodate a maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins.

Finally, to determine the maximum number of electrons with the given quantum numbers, we multiply the maximum number of electrons for each quantum number: 18 x 10 x 2 x 2 = 720 electrons.

Therefore, the maximum number of electrons in an atom that can have quantum numbers n = 3, ℓ = 2, mℓ = -1, ms = 1/2 is 720.

2. Quantum numbers: n = 2, ℓ = 1, mℓ = -1, ms = -1/2
Using the same reasoning as before, let's determine the maximum number of electrons with these quantum numbers.

- Principal quantum number (n): For n = 2, the maximum number of electrons in this energy level is 2(2)^2 = 8.
- Azimuthal quantum number (ℓ): For ℓ = 1, the maximum number of electrons in this subshell is 2(2(1) + 1) = 6.
- Magnetic quantum number (mℓ): Since mℓ = -1, it represents a specific orbital in the subshell. Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. Thus, the maximum number of electrons in this orbital is 2.
- Electron spin quantum number (ms): Each orbital can accommodate a maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins.

Multiplying the maximum number of electrons for each quantum number: 8 x 6 x 2 x 2 = 192.

Therefore, the maximum number of electrons in an atom that can have quantum numbers n = 2, ℓ = 1, mℓ = -1, ms = -1/2 is 192.