Question

Which of the following orbitals do not exist?
4s
2s
3p
3f

Answer 1

3f not exist

3d exist but not 3f

Answer 2

3f orbital does not exist.

• The K shell contains only one subshell which is 1s.
• The L shell contains only two subshells that are 2s and 2p.
• The M shell contains only three subshells that are 3s, 3p and 3d.
• Hence the 3f orbital does not exist.
• The other orbital 4s, 2s and 3p exists.