Question

What is the maximum number of s orbitals found in a given electron shell? The maximum number of \(p\) orbitals? Of \(d\) orbitals? Of \(f\) orbitals?

Short answer

1 s, 3 p, 5 d, and 7 f orbitals.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Electron Shells and Orbitals

Each electron shell, characterized by the principal quantum number \( n \), can contain different types and numbers of orbitals. The types of orbitals each shell can have include s, p, d, and f, and as \( n \) increases, more types of orbitals become available.

Determining Maximum Number of s Orbitals

All electron shells, regardless of their level (\( n \)), contain exactly one s orbital. Therefore, the maximum number of s orbitals in any electron shell is 1.

Determining Maximum Number of p Orbitals

Starting from the second electron shell (\( n = 2 \)), each shell can have up to three p orbitals (p_x, p_y, and p_z). Thus, the maximum number of p orbitals in any electron shell is 3.

Determining Maximum Number of d Orbitals

From the third electron shell (\( n = 3 \)), each shell can have up to five d orbitals. Hence, the maximum number of d orbitals in any electron shell is 5.

Determining Maximum Number of f Orbitals

Beginning with the fourth electron shell (\( n = 4 \)), each shell can contain up to seven f orbitals. So, the maximum number of f orbitals in any electron shell is 7.

Key concepts

s orbitals

The simplest type of electron orbital is the s orbital. Every electron shell, regardless of its principal quantum number \( n \), contains exactly one s orbital. This is because s orbitals have a shape that is perfectly spherical. They do not have preferred directions in space. Consequently, there is only one way to fit an s orbital within an electron shell. This uniformity makes them unique compared to other orbitals.

• Every shell from \( n = 1 \) upwards has just one s orbital.
• The s orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons because each orbital can accommodate two electrons with opposite spins.

The presence of one s orbital in every shell is a fundamental aspect of atomic structure. It's also the reason why the lowest energy sublevel in any electron shell is always the s sublevel.

p orbitals

P orbitals are introduced from the second electron shell, which means they start from \( n = 2 \). They are more complex than s orbitals, having a dumbbell-like shape, and are oriented in three different spatial directions: along the x, y, and z axes. This orientation leads to the presence of three different p orbitals in any given shell.

• These orbitals are known as \( p_x \), \( p_y \), and \( p_z \).
• Each p orbital can also hold up to two electrons, leading to a total capacity of six electrons for the p orbitals in one shell.

This structure allows for more flexibility and variation in electron distribution compared to the singular s orbital. The orientation and number of p orbitals play crucial roles in determining the geometry and bonding characteristics of molecules.

d orbitals

D orbitals become available starting at the third electron shell (\( n = 3 \)). They are more varied and complex in shape compared to s and p orbitals. D orbitals have clover-shaped structures, and there are five distinct d orbitals in any given shell.

• The five d orbitals are often labeled as \( d_{xy} \), \( d_{xz} \), \( d_{yz} \), \( d_{x^2-y^2} \), and \( d_{z^2} \).
• Each d orbital can accommodate two electrons, contributing to a total capacity of ten electrons across the d orbitals in a single shell.

The unique shapes and orientations of d orbitals are key to the chemistry of transition metals, which utilize these orbitals for bonding and electron exchange.

f orbitals

F orbitals are encountered beginning with the fourth electron shell, or \( n = 4 \). With even more complex shapes, f orbitals are essential for understanding the behavior of elements in the f-block, such as the lanthanides and actinides. A full set of f orbitals constitutes seven orbitals in total.

• Each f orbital can hold up to two electrons, resulting in a total of fourteen electrons for all seven f orbitals in a given shell.
• The complex shapes of f orbitals allow for unique bonding and chemical properties, especially significant in the field of rare earth chemistry.

While the f orbitals are not involved in the chemistry of most everyday elements, they are crucial for understanding complex electronic configurations and properties of heavy elements.