Which of the following orbitals designations are not possible? explain why. A: 8s, 2d, 7p, 4f, 1f. B: 3f, 6p, 3d,1p, 8d.

Answer 1

A: 2d & 1f do not exist
B: 3f & 1p do not exist

The 1st number is the principle energy level (ring number) and the letter is the orbital shape. The max number of orbitals per energy level is defined by the value of n. That is, n=1 has only 1 orbital;i.e., s-orbital ... n=2 has 2 orbitals; s-orbital & p-orbitals; n=3 has 3 orbitals; s, p & d orbitals, and so forth... For your 'A' choice, d-orbitals don't show until the n=3 energy level and f-orbitals until n=4. Therefore 2d and 1f do not exist. For B: 3f & 1p do not exist. f-orbitals show in n=4 and p-orbitals in n=2.

Answer 2

4f