question_answer

The maximum number of electrons in an atom with \[l=2\] and \[n=3\] is

A)  \[2\]

B)  \[6\]

C)  \[12\]                                  

D)  \[10\]

Correct Answer: D

Solution :

For a given value of n, possible values of \[l=0\] to \[(n-1)\]. Each value of \[l\] corresponds to a sub-energy level. The value of \[l=0,1,2,3\]are also represented by the letters s, p, d, f respectively. \[l=0\]or s-subshell \[l=1\] or p-subshell \[l=2\] or d-subshell \[l=3\] or/-subshell Thus, for M shell \[n=3\] and             \[l=0,1,2\] This shows that third orbital (M-shell) contains three subshells \[(3s,3p,3d)\] So, in the given question, the maximum number of electrons in an atom with  \[l=2\]and \[n=3\]is 10.