Question

For each of the following sublevels, give the n and l values and the number of orbitals: (a) 6g; (b) 4s; (c) 3d.

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) 6g. Shell 6, n = 6. Subshell g, l = 4. Number of orbitals in sublevel = 9

(b) 4s. Shell 4, n = 4. Subshell s, l = 0. Number of orbitals in sublevel = 1

(c) 3d. Shell 3, n = 3. Subshell d, l = 2. Number of orbitals in sublevel = 5

Explanation:

The rules for electron quantum numbers are:

1. Shell number, 1 ≤ n, n = 1, 2, 3...

2. Subshell number, 0 ≤ l ≤ n − 1, orbital s - 0, p - 1, d - 2, f - 3

3. Orbital energy shift, -l ≤ ml ≤ l

4. Spin, either -1/2 or +1/2

So,

(a) 6g. Shell 6, n = 6. Subshell g, l = 4. Number of orbitals in sublevel = 2l+1 = 9

(b) 4s. Shell 4, n = 4. Subshell s, l = 0. Number of orbitals in sublevel = 2l+1 = 1

(c) 3d. Shell 3, n = 3. Subshell d, l = 2. Number of orbitals in sublevel = 2l+1 = 5