Question

How many atomic orbitals are there in an h subshell?

Answer 1

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.)