Question

An electron in a hydrogen atom find itself in the fourth energy level
(1) write down a list of the orbitals that it might be in.
(2) can it be in all f these orbitals at once?
(3) can you tell which orbital it is in ?

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation: In hydrogen atom there’s only one electron. Hence at ground state it will be of configuration 1s¹.

But when it will be excited to fourth energy state. The configuration will look like: -

1s0 2s0 2p0 3s0 3p0 3d0 4s¹ 4p0 4d0 4f0.

Now it can be in either of 4s 4p or 4d orbital but it cannot be in 4f orbital. Because it will go to 5s otherwise because 5s takes lesser energy than 4f.

It will be currently in 4s orbital. On further excitation of electron it will move to 4p or 4d.

Answer 2

Explanation:

it may be 4s 4p 4d and 4f

no, it is present in one orbital only