There is 1 s orbital in any energy level.
Understanding Orbitals and Subshells
An orbital is a mathematical function that describes the wave-like behavior of an electron in an atom. It essentially defines the region of space where an electron is most likely to be found. Orbitals are grouped into subshells, which are further grouped into electron shells (energy levels).
The number of orbitals within a subshell is determined by its shape, denoted by the letters s, p, d, and f.
- s subshell: Has 1 orbital. This orbital is spherical in shape.
- p subshell: Has 3 orbitals. These orbitals are dumbbell-shaped and oriented along the x, y, and z axes.
- d subshell: Has 5 orbitals. These orbitals have more complex shapes.
- f subshell: Has 7 orbitals. These orbitals have even more complex shapes.
Since the question specifically asks about the number of s orbitals, the answer is 1. Each s orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.
