Question

Which table correctly represents the number of orbitals present in a subshell?

OptionsMark for review

• A)

  Subshell

  Number of orbitals

  s

  2

  p

  6

  d

  10

• B)

  Subshell

  Number of orbitals

  s

  1

  p

  3

  d

  5

• C)

  Subshell

  Number of orbitals

  s

  10

  p

  2

  d

  6

• Mark
• Submit
• clear

"D)

Subshell

Number of orbitals

s

5

p

1

d

3

can somebody explain why answer is option A and not B?

Answer 1

Azimuthal quantum number- Denoted by l and gives the subshell in a given principal quantum number.
For l = 0, designation s-subshell
For l = 1, designation p-subshell
For l = 2, designation d-subshell.
Magnetic quantum number- Denoted by m_l
m_l = -l to +l
For s-subshell
m_l = 0, only 1 orbital
For p-subshell
m_l = -1, 0, +1..
Total orbitals = 3
For d-subshell
m_l = -2,-1,0,+1,+2
Total orbitals = 5

Hence answer should be B option only. But if question is about number of electrons then only option will be A. Because one orbital can accommodate 2 electrons.