Question

pop quiz: electron configuration
how many orbitals inhabit the d subshell?
2
5
1
7
3
10

Explanation:

In atomic structure, the number of orbitals in a subshell is determined by the magnetic quantum number \(m_l\). For the d subshell, the angular quantum number \(l = 2\). The magnetic quantum number \(m_l\) can take values from \(-l\) to \(+l\) including \(0\). So for \(l = 2\), \(m_l=- 2,-1,0,1,2\). Each value of \(m_l\) corresponds to one orbital.

Answer:

5