Question

How many orbitals are possible for n = 4?

Answer 1

When n = 4, l = 0, 1, 2 and 3.

Hence, there are four subshells namely, s, p, d and f

l = 0, m₁ = 0; one 4s orbital.

l = 1, m = –1, 0, +1; three 4p orbitals.

l = 2, m₁ = –2, –1, 0, +1, +2; five 4d orbitals.

l = 3, m₁ = –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3; seven 4f orbitals.

Hence, the number of possible orbitals when n = 4 are sixteen.