Which subshells are present in the n = 5 shell?

• A. 5s, 5p, 5d, 5f, and 5g
• B. 5s and 5p only
• C. 5s, 5p, 5d, and 5f only
• D. 5s, 5p, and 5d only

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the principal quantum number \(n\) defines the main energy level or shell of an electron in an atom. For \(n = 5\), we are looking at the fifth shell.
2. The possible subshells within a shell are determined by the azimuthal quantum number \(l\), which can take integer values from \$0\( to \)n-1\(. For \)n = 5\(, \)l\( can be \)0, 1, 2, 3,\( or \)4$.
3. Each value of \(l\) corresponds to a specific subshell: \(l=0\) is the \(s\) subshell, \(l=1\) is \(p\), \(l=2\) is \(d\), \(l=3\) is \(f\), and \(l=4\) is \(g\).
4. Therefore, the subshells present in the \(n=5\) shell are \$5s\(, \)5p\(, \)5d\(, \)5f\(, and \)5g$.
5. Compare this list to the answer choices to identify the correct one that includes all these subshells.