Text Book Problem 2.29 (d)

[Harjot Manku 1C]

How many electron can have the following quantum numbers in an atom:
n=2

To find 'l' you use (n-1) which gives you "1" that makes it a p-orbital (0,1). 'ml' is -1,0,1. That means that there are 6 electrons that can have that quantum number. But the book answer says there are 8 electrons. How is it 8 electrons?

[Paul Wong1B]

The question is asking about how many electrons can have the quantum number of n=2, meaning the 2nd shell. Since the 2nd shell possesses only s and p subshells, those subshells are the only ones that can have the number n=2. We learned that s- subshells have one orbital and that each orbital can hold up to two electrons (Pauli Exclusion Principle). Furthermore, the p- subshell has 3 orbitals that can hold up to 2 electrons each, producing 6 electrons. With 2 electrons in the 2s subshell and 6 in the 2p subshell, the answer is 8.

[Johana Jeon 1A]

It's 8 because n = 2 is s & p orbitals
s can hold 2 + p can hold 6 = 8

[Harjot Manku 1C]

I see. So if you're given the quantum number "l" like in problem "a" then there would be 6 electron because it specifically asks for that orbital?