TPR gChem hyperleading atomic structure question

[KMCAT]

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the question is

Which of the following is incorrect:

It listed a very incorrect answer :: the 5f subshell has 14 degenerate orbitals

which I undetstnad that it is incorrect and why


However, what I do not understand is the other answer choice they listed - in any atom there are an infinite number of possi
E energy levels.

I thought that there were a limited and quantized number of energy levels but this is listed as a true statement. .can someone please explain why?

 

[KMCAT]

Basically, why is this true (if it even is, I believe it is an errata)

IN Any atom there are an infinite number of possible energy levels

 

[amy_k]

It is true that there are an infinite number of possible energy levels (*i.e. if given sufficient energy, an electron could move to an infinite number of higher energy levels), what is defined by quantum numbers is the most probable location of electrons.

 

[NextStepTutor_3]

@amy_k , I really like your explanation. Basically, have you seen this equation ? You don't need to know it for the MCAT, but it's the Rydberg formula and it gives the wavelength of light that is emitted when an electron drops from a higher to a lower energy level. n1 and n2, which represent the energy levels, can be any integer - meaning that there are an infinite number of possible levels.

 

[chemtopper]

the question is

Which of the following is incorrect:

It listed a very incorrect answer :: the 5f subshell has 14 degenerate orbitals

which I undetstnad that it is incorrect and why


However, what I do not understand is the other answer choice they listed - in any atom there are an infinite number of possi
E energy levels.

I thought that there were a limited and quantized number of energy levels but this is listed as a true statement. .can someone please explain why?

I agree that atoms can have infinite energy levels but each level has a fixed amount of energy associated with its electrons.Now in the energy level we have sub levels (s,p,d and f.Your energy level is 5f sub level which has a fixed energy associated with it.Now f orbitals have 7 orientations feasible in space(7 shapes of orbitals) and each orbital has 2 electrons.These 7 orbitals with 14 electrons are degenerate as they are in the same sub level and are of same energies.This is based on knowledge of quantum numbers.