How are the orbitals different in sublevels of the same principal energy level?

Answer 1

In every atom there are principle energy levels, sub-levels and atomic orbitals. The principle energy levels are often those first taught when studying chemistry. They correspond to how close the electrons are to the nucleus. The first principle energy level is closest to the nucleus and can hold a maximum of two electrons. The second principle energy level is slightly further away from the nucleus and can hold a maximum of eight electrons. The third energy level is even further away and can hold a maximum of ten electrons.

Each principle energy level is comprised of different sub-levels: s, p, d and f. The s sub-level can hold a maximum of two electrons; , p a maximum of 6; d, a maximum of 10 and f, a maximum of 14 (although the f sub-level is only present in the lanthanide and actanide series). Sub-levels all have different energies and electrons fill sub-levels in order of lowest energy to highest. The first principle energy level has one sub-level, the 1s sub-level. The second principle energy level has two sub-levels, 2s and 2p. The third principle energy level has three sub-levels, 3s 3p and 3d. (However, the 4s sub-level is filled before the 3d sub-level, which is a different matter which cannot be explained quite so simply.)

Now, each sub-level is comprised of atomic orbitals which define the approximate boundaries of the electron orbit. Each orbital can hold up to two electrons, so a s sub-level has one orbital; a p sub-level has three orbitals; a d sub-level has five orbitals and a f sub-level has seven. This explanation is really quite brief as there is so much more information concerned with principle energy levels, sub-levels and atomic orbitals.

Answer 2

the orbitals of the sublevels of the same principal energy level differ in shape which describes where the electron is likely to be found.

Also the orbitals of sublevels have different energy levels.

In ascending enegy in any level

s < p < d < f < g etc

HOWEVER whether the different sublevels exist depends on the principal energy level

ie

1s

2s, 2p

3s, 3p, 3d

4s, 4p, 4d, 4f