# of electron states in a subshell

[damnwebassign]

Homework Statement

The number of electron states in a subshell with orbital quantum number l = 3 is:
A. 7
B. 9
C. 14 <-- answer
D. 2
E. 3

I am reviewing for a comprehensive final and maybe its all the studying but I am lost here..

Homework Equations

n=/=0
l= 0--> (n-1)
m = -l to l

The Attempt at a Solution

Okay so far I have that if l = 3 then m = [-3,...,3] and that n= 4. Do I just add them up 3+7+4 to arrive at the answer? Is this representative of the different combinations? Orbitals are the one subject I consistently have difficulty with in chem/phys. Thanks for your help.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Me too - go back to basics: one electron per |n,l,m,s> state.

for l=3, there are 7 possible values for m, with two spin states each = 14 total.