Question

For a shell of principal quantum number $n=4$, there are:

• A. $16$ orbitals
• B. $4$ subshells
• C. $32$ electrons (maximum)
• D. $4$ electrons with $l=3$

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

$16$ orbitals
$32$ electrons (maximum)
$4$ subshells

Given principal quantum number(n) of the shell = 4

Number of orbitals in a shell is given by $n^2$

So number of orbitals in the given shell = $(4{)}^2=16$

Number of subshells in a shell are equal to the principal quantum number of the shell.

Since due to Pauli's exclusion principle, an orbital can contain two electrons and hence maximum number of electrons is 32

$l=3$ for $f$ subshell. Number of orbitals is = $2l+1=7$. It can accomodate a total of 14 electron.

Hence for a shell of principal quantum number $n=4$ there are 16 orbitals ,4 subshells, 32 electrons(maximum) and 14 electrons with $l=3$.