H-atom Energy Absorbed/Emitted

[Jennifer Huynh 3I]

Hi,

I do not understand the reason why we do not mention the suborbitals (s-, p-, d-, etc. orbitals) when we describe electron transitions in H-atoms. When describing electron transitions from n = 1 state to n = 2, 3, 4, etc, there is never a mention of an electron transitioning to a suborbital. From my understanding, I think the reason is related to how H-atoms only have 1 electron, but how does this affect hydrogen not having suborbitals?

[Sanjana Sivakumar 2E]

Hello!

I believe that, as you stated, there is only 1 electron, so it occupies the most stable state which is the first orbital. I might be wrong, but I think Professor Lavelle stated something about the sub-orbitals being at the same state as the orbitals. So, they are there, but since they are on the same "level" as the orbital, there is no distinction. Hydrogen will be at n=1 which can can also be written as 1s¹. I also have another diagram, that might make the electron configuration things simpler!


Hope this helps!