Question

How many subshells are possible with (n+1) equal to 6?

Answer 1

Well, there are five subshells POSSIBLE, but only the first two are ACCESSIBLE.

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Well... apparently, you want the principal quantum number PLUS ONE to be:

`n+1 = 6`

so the energy level specified, is `n = 5`. For a given `n`, a certain maximum angular momentum `l` exists:

`l = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, . . . , overbrace(n - 1)^(l_max)`

and each of these values of `l` correspond to a unique subshell `s,p,d,f,g,h,i,k, . . .`.

Since `n = 5` and `n - 1 -= l_max = 4`,

`color(blue)(l = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4)`

are allowed. Clearly, it means there are FIVE subshells possible (five values of `l` are allowed), and they are:

`s, p, d, f, g`

i.e. there are one `5s`, three `5p`, five `5d`, and seven `5g` orbitals theoretically possible for any given atom among `Z = 37 - 54`.

However, only the `5s` and `5p` are accessible for these atoms.