Question

What is the letter code for a subshell with (a) ℓ = 1 (b) ℓ = 3?

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) $l = 1$ corresponds to the letter "$p$".

(b) $l = 3$ corresponds to the letter "$f$".

Explanation:

The shape and letter code of an electron subshell depends on $l$, the angular momentum quantum number.

The range of possible values that $l$ could take depends on $n$, the principal quantum number (which gives the main energy level of an electron in an atom.) $l = 0,\, \dots,\, n- 1$. However, the letter code that corresponds to each $l\!$ is the same regardless of the principal quantum number.$l = 0$ corresponds to the letter "$s$".

• $l = 1$ corresponds to the letter "$p$".
• $l = 2$ corresponds to the letter "$d$".
• $l = 3$ corresponds to the letter "$f$".
• $\cdots$.

$\begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c|c} n & l = 0 & l = 1 & l = 2 & l = 3 & \cdots \\ \cline{1-6} 1 & s \\ \cline{1-3} 2 & s & p \\ \cline{1-4} 3 & s & p & d \\ \cline{1-5} 4 & s & p & d & f \\ \cline{1-5} \vdots & \multicolumn{4}{c}{\cdots}\end{array}$.