For a shell with principal quantum number n, the orbital quantum number, l, has all of the integer values from 0 to n-1. Each value of l represents a subshell.
For each value of l, the magnetic quantum number, ml has all of the integer values from -l to +l. Each value of ml represents an orbital.
The orbital is labelled with the value of n and a code for the value of l from the table below. If there is more than one value of ml then a subscript is added which describes the orientation of the orbital.
Click on the buttons to work through each shell and its orbitals. Examine how these rules for n, l and mi work and the shapes and properties of the orbitals.
For each value of l, the magnetic quantum number, ml has all of the integer values from -l to +l. Each value of ml represents an orbital.
The orbital is labelled with the value of n and a code for the value of l from the table below. If there is more than one value of ml then a subscript is added which describes the orientation of the orbital.
| Orbital quantum number, l: | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orbital label: | s | p | d | f | g | ... |
Click on the buttons to work through each shell and its orbitals. Examine how these rules for n, l and mi work and the shapes and properties of the orbitals.