Multiple Choice
Which type of orbital is occupied by an electron with principal quantum number n = 3 and angular momentum quantum number l = 2?
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9. Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Numbers: Angular Momentum Quantum Number
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How many p orbitals exist in one energy level (n ≥ 2) of an atom?
A
1
B
6
C
2
D
3
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that for any principal energy level \( n \geq 2 \), the p subshell is present.
Understand that the p subshell consists of three p orbitals, each oriented along a different axis (\( p_x \), \( p_y \), and \( p_z \)).
Each p orbital can hold up to 2 electrons, but the question asks for the number of p orbitals, not electrons.
Therefore, the number of p orbitals in any energy level where \( n \geq 2 \) is always 3.
This is because the magnetic quantum number \( m_l \) for p orbitals can take values \( -1, 0, +1 \), corresponding to the three distinct orbitals.
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