How many sublevels are present in the principal quantum number n = 3 energy level?

• A. 2
• B. 1
• C. 4
• D. 3

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the principal quantum number \(n\) determines the main energy level or shell of an electron in an atom.
2. Understand that for each principal quantum number \(n\), the number of sublevels (or subshells) is equal to \(n\).
3. Each sublevel corresponds to a different value of the azimuthal quantum number \(l\), which ranges from \(0\) to \(n-1\).
4. For \(n = 3\), the possible values of \(l\) are \(0\), \(1\), and \(2\), which correspond to the sublevels 3s, 3p, and 3d respectively.
5. Therefore, the number of sublevels in the \(n = 3\) energy level is 3.