What types of atomic orbitals are in the third principal energy level? p and d only s, p, d, and f s, p, and d only

Answer: - s, p and d only.

Explanations: - Principal energy level or quantum number is represented by n which is an integer number. n has values like 1,2,3 and so on.

For first shell, the value of n is 1, for second shell the value of n is 2, the value of n for third shell is 3 and so on.

Principal energy levels are divided into sub energy levels. First principal energy level or shell has s sub energy level or sub shell, second shell has s and p sub shells, third shell has s, p and d sub shells and similarly the fourth shell has s, p, d and f sub shells.

Azimuthal quantum number tell us about the sub shells. Azimuthal quantum number is represented by l and it's values depends on the values of n.

values of l are 0 to n-1. For example, for the first shell, n = 1 then l = 0.

for second shell, n = 2 then l = 0 and 1.

for third shell, n = 3 and l = 0, 1 and 2.

l = 0 means s sub shell, l = 1 means p sub shell and l = 3 means d sub shells and so on.

Since, the value of n for third principle energy level (shell) is 3 and the values of l for this value of n are 0, 1 and 2. The sub shells are s, p and d and same are the alphabets used for the orbitals.

So, the right choice is s, p and d only.