How many orbitals make the N-shell? What is the subshell wise distribution of orbitals in the N-shell?
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For N-shell principal quantum number n = 4
∴ Total number of orbitals in N-shell = n2 = 42 = 16.
The total number of subshells in N-shell = n
= 4.
The four subshells with their azimuthal quantum numbers and the constituent number of orbitals are as shown below :
| Azimuthal quantum number (l) | Symbol of subshell | Number of orbitals (2l + 1) |
| l = 0 | s | (2 × 0) + 1 = 1 |
| l = 1 | p | (2 × 1) + 1 = 3 |
| l = 2 | d | (2 × 2) + 1 = 5 |
| l = 3 | f | (2 × 3) + 1 = 7 |