What is the principle quantum number for a 2p orbital?

The principal quantum number indicates the main energy level or shell of an electron in an atom. For orbitals, this number determines the distance of an electron from the nucleus and the energy associated with that electron.

In the case of a 2p orbital, the "2" in its designation specifies the principal quantum number, which is 2. This means that the electrons in a 2p orbital are in the second energy level, which is the shell that comes after the first, where the principal quantum number is 1. The "p" indicates the type of orbital, which has a specific shape and angular momentum but does not affect the principal quantum number.

Therefore, the principal quantum number for a 2p orbital is indeed 2, as it signifies the second shell in which the electrons are found, aligning with the overall organization of the periodic table and the structure of atoms.