Question

which subshell contains only one orbital? 4d 6f 3d 2s 1p

Explanation:

• For an \(s\) sub - shell, the magnetic quantum number \(m_l\) has only one value (\(m_l = 0\)). So, an \(s\) sub - shell has only one orbital.
• For a \(p\) sub - shell (\(l = 1\)), \(m_l=- 1,0, + 1\), so it has 3 orbitals.
• For a \(d\) sub - shell (\(l = 2\)), \(m_l=-2,-1,0, + 1,+2\), so it has 5 orbitals.
• For an \(f\) sub - shell (\(l = 3\)), \(m_l=-3,-2,-1,0, + 1,+2,+3\), so it has 7 orbitals.
• The \(1p\) sub - shell does not exist because for \(n = 1\), the only possible value of \(l\) is \(l = 0\) (\(s\) sub - shell).

Answer:

2s