Final answer:
The smallest possible value for the total energy of an electron with l=5 in a hydrogen atom is -0.37778 eV.
Step-by-step explanation:
The smallest possible value for the total energy of an electron in a hydrogen atom can be found by using the energy formula for Bohr's model. The energy is given by:
E = -13.6 eV / n^2
where n is the principal quantum number. In this case, since l=5, the smallest possible value for the total energy is when n=6. Plugging this value into the energy formula, we get:
E = -13.6 eV / 6^2 = -0.37778 eV