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The total number of atomic orbitals in fourth energy level of an atom is
A
4
B
8
C
16
D
32
Detailed Solution
The number of orbitals in a shell with principal quantum number n is $n^2$.
For n = 4 the subshells are 4s (1 orbital), 4p (3 orbitals), 4d (5 orbitals) and 4f (7 orbitals).
Total orbitals = 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16
Equivalently, $n^2 = 4^2 = 16$
So the fourth energy level has 16 atomic orbitals (which can hold 32 electrons).
For n = 4 the subshells are 4s (1 orbital), 4p (3 orbitals), 4d (5 orbitals) and 4f (7 orbitals).
Total orbitals = 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16
Equivalently, $n^2 = 4^2 = 16$
So the fourth energy level has 16 atomic orbitals (which can hold 32 electrons).