Question

The number of subshells and orbitals possible for the principal quantum number 5 is

• A. 5, 5
• B. 4, 16
• C. 5, 25
• D. 25, 5

Answer 1

The correct option is C 5, 25

$n$ is principal quantum number
$l$ is azimuthal quantum number
$l$ ranges from 0 to (n-1)
Given n = 5 So $l$ = $0,1,2,3,4$
Number of subshells = 5 ($5s,5p,5d,5f,5g$)
For s, orbital = 1
For p, orbital = 3
For d, orbital = 5
For f, orbital = 7
For g, orbital = 9
So, total number of orbitals = 25
We can also use the formula as number of orbital = $n^2$
For n = 5, number of orbitals = 25