The azimuthal quantum number determines shape of orbitals and can uniquely identify a subshell if given with a principal quantum number.
subshell shape | |
---|---|
0 | s |
1 | p |
2 | d |
3 | f |
Let be the energy level of the valence shell electron. For any electron in this atom, .
The number of orbitals in a certain subshell (a certain ) can be obtained from .