Practice question · Multiple choice
Why does a subshell contain exactly three orbitals?
Hints
- The orbital count comes from the allowed values of one quantum number.
- For l = 1 the values of m_l are -1, 0 and +1.
Show the answer
B. Because runs from to , giving three values when
Why
A subshell has , so takes , three orbitals. The alignment with three axes is a consequence of that count, not the reason for it, and the six-electron capacity follows from it rather than causing it.
Practise Orbitals, Quantum Numbers and Electron Configuration
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More questions on Orbitals, Quantum Numbers and Electron Configuration
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