How many orbitals does the d subshell contain?

The d subshell contains a total of five orbitals. Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, which means the d subshell can accommodate up to ten electrons in total. The five orbitals are typically described as dxy, dyz, dzx, dx²-y², and dz², corresponding to different spatial orientations and shapes within the d subshell.

Understanding the structure of subshells is crucial because it helps explain how electrons are distributed around an atom. The d subshell is found in the third energy level (n=3) and higher, indicating that it plays a significant role in the chemistry of transition metals and their unique properties due to the presence of these five orbitals.