How many orbitals are there in the seventh shell?
A)6
B)7
C)21
D)49

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The total number of orbitals in any shell can be determined by using the formula 2n^2, where n is the principal quantum number of the shell. For the seventh shell, n=7, so the total number of orbitals would be 2(7^2) = 98. However, we need to subtract the number of orbitals in the inner shell (the sixth shell) from this value, which is 2(6^2) = 72. Therefore, the number of orbitals in the seventh shell would be 98-72 = 26. However, the question is asking for the number of orbitals, not the number of orbitals with electrons in them, so we need to choose the closest answer choice, which is D) 49.

How Many Orbitals Are There in the Seventh Shell