Question

The maximum number of electrons in a subshell is:
(a)- $2(2l+1)$
(b)- $2l+1$
(c)- $2l$
(d)- $2l-1$

Answer 1

Known till now there are 4 subshells in the orbit and they are s, p, d, and f designated as 0, 1, 2, and 3. The maximum electrons in the s subshell are 2, in p subshell is 6, in d subshell is 10, and in f subshell is 14.

Complete Solution :
- We know that there are 4 quantum numbers that tell full information of the electron in orbit. These are principle quantum numbers denoted as n, azimuthal quantum number denoted as l, magnetic quantum number denoted as m, and spin quantum number denoted as s.
- The principal quantum number tells the number of shells in the atom and the azimuthal quantum number tells the subshells in the atom.
- Known till now there are 4 subshells in the orbit and they are s, p, d, and f designated as 0, 1, 2, and 3.
When the value of n is 1, then the value of l is 0. When the value of n is 2, then the value of l will be 0 and 1. When the value of n is 3, then the value of l will be 0, 1, and 2. When the value of n is 4, then the value of l will be 0, 1, 2, and 3.
- The number of electrons in the subshell is calculated by the formula $2(2l+1)$. According to this formula, the maximum electrons in the s subshell are 2, in p subshell are 6, in d subshell are 10, and in f subshell are 14.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: The number of orbitals in the subshell is calculated by the formula $2l+1$, and the number of orbitals in the shell is calculated by ${{n}^{2}}$. The number of electrons in the given shell can be calculated by the formula $2{{n}^{2}}$.