How many atomic orbitals are there in an h subshell?

1 Answer
Chuck W. ยท Chirag Mehta
Jun 17, 2014

11

Explanation:

There are 11 atomic orbitals in the h subshell, and they can hold a total of 22 electrons.

The hydrogenic (one-electron) orbitals are each associated with a principal quantum number (n) and an orbital angular momentum quantum number (l). The different values of l are denoted by letters instead of numbers.

For example, orbitals having l=0 are called s orbitals, those with l=1 are called p orbitals, then d, f, g, h, and so on.
(excluding j)
Following the lettering system, we see that h orbitals are associated with l=5.

Finally, the number of orbitals in each sub-shell is equal to 2l+1, so there is only 1 s orbital, but there are 3 p orbitals, and 5 d orbitals in each sub-shell. Following this trend, we see that the number of h orbitals is equal to 2times5+1=11.

(Each orbital can hold up to 2 electrons if they have opposite spin angular momentum quantum numbers, so the h shell can hold a maximum of 22 electrons.)

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