Final answer:
The correct answer to the question 'The total number of f orbitals in an f subshell is' is 7, as an f subshell includes 7 distinct orbitals where electrons can be found.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total number of f orbitals in an f subshell is 7. This is because each type of subshell (s, p, d, and f) contains a set number of orbitals. An s subshell has 1 orbital, a p subshell has 3 orbitals, a d subshell has 5 orbitals, and an f subshell contains 7 orbitals. These orbitals within the f subshell can be described by different magnetic quantum numbers (ml), which range from -3 to +3. Consequently, an f subshell can hold a maximum of 14 electrons, with two electrons per orbital differing by their spin quantum number. To recall, orbitals are regions in space where there is a high probability of finding an electron. The arrangement, based on these orbitals, maintains the lowest energy state for the atom.