In a vector sense, m l is l 's component along that direction. Since the component can never be larger than its vector, m l never exceeds l and never projects more negative than - l . But it's infinitely attracted there as its distance to the nucleus goes to zero. Fortunately, as it flips from one value to the other, the change in its angular momentum is one unit, the quantal minimum for angular momentum. We are creatures of Chemistry.
Chemistry is a creature of the wonderful differences between atoms.
The Periodic Table That Life-giving complexity of the atoms is celebrated in the Periodic Table. What we can do now, with these four quantum numbers which uniquely characterize each of an atom's electrons, is show how the Periodic Table arises as a natural consequence of matter waves . Last modified 14 June 2000.