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Going beyond what the note covers, this statement refers to the difference between the theoretical number of sublevels possible in quantum mechanics and the actual sublevels occupied by ground-state electrons in known elements.
Theoretical Sublevels ( values):
In quantum mechanics, the principal quantum number defines a main energy level. Each energy level theoretically contains sublevels:
Level has sublevel:
Level has sublevels:
Level has sublevels:
Level has sublevels:
Level has sublevels:
Level has sublevels:
Level has sublevels:
Why Only Are Used:
Across all known elements in the periodic table (up to Oganesson, ), electrons in their ground state fill available sublevels according to the Aufbau principle (from lowest energy to highest). The heaviest known element, Oganesson, completes the filling of the sublevel ().
Even though higher shells like , , and mathematically possess room for additional sublevels (, $$h$