Question

Which one of the following sets of quantum numbers (l and ml) corresponds to the orbital with the highest energy in the n = 3 shell?

Answer 1

An orbital with `l = 2` has the highest energy in non-hydrogen atoms.

In a hydrogen atom, all orbitals with the same value of `n` have the same energy.

In other atoms, `3s < 3p < 3d`.

A `d` orbital corresponds to `l = 2`.

So an orbital with `l = 2` has the highest energy.

The value of `m_l` affects only the orientation of the orbital in a magnetic field.

It does not affect the energy of the orbital.