Chapter 5.1, Problem 3LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The two sublevels of the same principal energy level that differ from each other are to be reviewed.

Concept Introduction : The probability of encountering an electron at different points around the nucleus is described by the atomic orbital. The primary quantum number (n) serves as an identifier for the electron energy level in the quantum mechanical model.

Answer to Problem 3LC

The two sublevels of the same principal energy level differ by the shapes of the orbitals.

Explanation of Solution

The principal quantum number values are n =1,2,3,4 and so on.

For each energy level larger than $n=1$ , there are multiple subshells with varying shapes and energies. Within the main energy level, these subshells are referred to as energy sublevels.

Each energy sublevel has an associated orbital or orbitals with a variety of shapes and orbitals.

The location of an electron is found by the descriptions of its orbitals.