Question #33d8c

1 Answer
Oct 14, 2015

The answer is (c) 9

Explanation:

Each electron shell corresponds to a different energy level, which is represented by the principal quantum number, n.

The M shell designates the third energy level, for which n=3.

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The relationship between the principal quantum number and the number of orbitals is given by the equation

"no. of orbitals" = n^2

This equation will produce

n = 1 implies "no. of orbitals" = 1^2 = 1

n = 2 implies "no. of orbitals" = 2^2 = 4

n=3 implies "no. of orbitals" = 3^2 = 9

The M shell will thus contain a total of 9 orbitals

  • one 3s-orbital
  • three 3p-orbitals
  • five 3d-orbitals