Question

what is the difference between sub shells and orbitals? how many subshells are possible in a shell (n) and how many orbitals are possible?

Answer 1

Dear Student,

The principal quantum number (n) tells the shell in which electrons are present. It has value 1,2,3... and so on.
The shells are divided into subshells. It is given by azimuthal quantum number (l). It has value from 0 to (n-1). The subshells depends on the value of n. For n=4, l=0,1,2,3. So, it has 4 subshells which are s,p,d and f respectively.
The magnetic quantum number tell us about the orbital. The subshells are divided into orbitals.
m = -l to +l
For l=3, m = -3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3 so it has 7 orbitals.