Principal Quantum Number
Imagine trying to organize a closet with shelves of different heights to store various items efficiently. This is similar to the principal quantum number, which helps determine the relative sizes and energies of atomic orbitals in an atom, much like how the height of each shelf dictates what can be stored there. Just as each shelf height allows you to store different items based on their size, the principal quantum number assigns a specific energy level and size to orbitals, dictating where electrons can "fit" within an atom.
Practice Version
Principal Quantum Number: Number indicating the relative sizes and energies of atomic orbitals. It is assigned by the quantum mechanical model. Principal quantum number. It is a number that tells us how far an electron is likely to be from the nucleus of an atom.