Question

What is the smallest possible value of the principal quantum number `n` for an `s` electron?

Answer 1

`n=1`

Explanation:

Well, an electron in the `s` orbital would mean that the orbital angular momentum quantum number `l` is `0`.

We know that the principal quantum number `n` and `l` is related by:

`l=0,1,2,3,...(n-1)`

And so, `n_min=l+1`

`=0+1`

`=1`