How many sublevels, orbitals and electrons can be present in the N-shell of an atom?

    

In an atom, electrons are located in different energy levels outside the nucleus. In the case of N - shell or energy level, n = 4. These shells or energy levels are divided into sub-energy levels. The sub-energy level is denoted by "l". The value of "l" ranges from zero (0) to (n- 1). 

The sub-energy levels are again divided into different orbitals. In different orbitals, the electrons are arranged in three dimensions. This is called the magnetic quantum number (m). The value of m ranges from zero (0) to ± l. 

If n = 4 for N - shell, 

l = 0,1,2,3 will be. Then there will be four sub-energy levels - 4s, 4p, 4d and 4f. 

Then, 

for l = 0, m = 0. That is, there will be a 4s orbital. 

For l = 1, m = 0, ±1. That is, there will be three 4p orbitals. 

For l = 2, m = 0, ±1, ±2. That is, there will be five 4d orbitals. 

For l = 3, m = 0, ±1, ±2, ±3. That is, there will be seven 4f orbitals. 

That is, in the N-shell, one 4s, three 4p, five 4d and seven 4f orbitals are possible, totaling sixteen (16) orbitals. 

Again, we know from the spin quantum number (s), that an orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons. 

So the number of electrons in the N shell is 

= 16 x 2 = 32. 

Therefore, the N-shell can hold four sublevels, sixteen orbitals and thirty-two electrons. 

( If l = 0, then s- sublevel, 

If l = 1, then p- sublevel, 

If l = 2, then d- sublevel, 

If l = 3, then f- sublevel.)