Question

(a) what is the minimum value of L for a subshell that has 20 electrons in it?

(b) If this subshell is in the n=6 shell and assuming the minimum value of L above, what is the spectroscopic notation for this atom? (answer using the format 2p3.)

Answer 1

a) minimum value of L for the subshell containing 20 electrons

L - orbital angular momentum

The minimum value of L will be 9 using the orbital concept.

The orbit will be h and the l values range from -5 to +5, so, there will be two unpaired electrons in subshell that those l values add up to give the L value as 9

b) for n=6

n=1,2,3,4,5,6 - s,p,d,f,g,h

The orbital that occupy the 20 electrons is 'h'

So, with the same L value

The spectroscopic notation will be 6h²⁰