Hello, The problem states: How many and what kind ofsubshells are in the n=2 she

Question

Hello,

The problem states: How many and what kind ofsubshells are in the n=2 shell of an atom, and how many orbitalsare present?

The answer is: 2 subshells, s and p, and 4 orbitals, 1 s-orbital +3 p-orbitals.

I am very confused to how this is the correct answer. My questionsare:

1. Does anyone know a good analogy that describes what shells andsubshells are and how they are related to each other in thesimplest form? I understand that electrons orbit the nucleus inshells, but am confused.

2. There is a principal quantum number and azmithal (n and l). 2n^2and 4L+2 are two formulas I know. Are they related to finding theanswer to this problem?


Thanks so much and will rate lifesaver to who can explain in thesimplest terms, while perhaps providing simple analogies to thistopic.

Explanation / Answer

This is hard to do without drawing it out on paper. Theprincipal quatum number is the n=2.  the azmithal orL is the subshell orbital that the electron is at. Fors l=0 and for p l=1.   The 2*n^2 is the number ofelectron the shell can hold at that principal quantum number. For thsi problem 2*2^4=8elctrons or four orbitals because eachorbital can only hole two electrons. The order of adding orbitalsis s,p,d,f s has one orientation p has three and d has fiveand f has seven. since we only need four we just use s,and p. n=2 doesn't have a d orbital. Thefollowing is the four quatum number for the eight electronfrom this problem

n = 2 l = 1, ml = 1,ms = +1/2 n = 2 l = 1, ml = 1,ms = -1/2 n = 2 l = 1, ml = 0,ms = +1/2 n = 2 l = 1, ml = 0,ms = -1/2 n = 2 l = 1, ml = -1,ms = +1/2 n = 2 l = 1, ml = -1,ms = -1/2 n = 2 l = 0, ml = 0,ms = +1/2 n = 2 l = 0, ml = 0,ms = -1/2 As you can see no electron has the same exact fournumbers. If the first three are the same it is becuase theyare in the same orbital. ml is the orbital orientation and ms isthe spin number which is either + or - 1/2. For each levelthere is always a s orbital. That is the circle one that isclosest to the nuecleus. The idea of orbital is like planeshaving a flight plan. If the plane doen't have its own spaceand room to fly in it would crash with the other planes. Eachelectron wants to get as close as it can to the nueclus withoutrunning into the other electrons. the next orbital to beintroduced is teh p-orbital that looks like a bunch of dumbellseach on its own axis. One on the x, y , and z. Like in themath graph thing of these as a ballon on each side of the 0 line ofthe math graph. Each ballon having one electron.   

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