Which types of atomic orbitals are present in the principal energy level n = 2?

• A. p and d orbitals
• B. only s orbitals
• C. s, p, and d orbitals
• D. s and p orbitals

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. For a given principal energy level \(n\), the possible values of the azimuthal quantum number \(l\) range from \(0\) to \(n-1\).
3. Each value of \(l\) corresponds to a type of atomic orbital: \(l=0\) is an \(s\) orbital, \(l=1\) is a \(p\) orbital, \(l=2\) is a \(d\) orbital, and \(l=3\) is an \(f\) orbital.
4. Since \(n=2\), the possible \(l\) values are \(0\) and \(1\), which correspond to \(s\) and \(p\) orbitals respectively.
5. Therefore, the atomic orbitals present in the principal energy level \(n=2\) are the \(s\) and \(p\) orbitals only.