The subsidiary quantum number $(l)$ is also known as the Azimuthal quantum number or orbital angular momentum quantum number.
It defines the three-dimensional shape of the orbital.
Values of $l$: For a given principal quantum number $n$,$l$ can have $n$ values ranging from $0$ to $n-1$. Each shell consists of one or more subshells. The number of subshells in a principal shell is equal to the value of $n$.
For example:
In the first shell $(n=1)$,there is only one subshell,which corresponds to $l=0$.
In the second shell $(n=2)$,there are two subshells,$l=0, 1$.
In the third shell $(n=3)$,there are three subshells,$l=0, 1, 2$.
In the fourth shell $(n=4)$,there are four subshells,$l=0, 1, 2, 3$.
Subshells corresponding to different values of $l$ are represented by the following symbols:
| Value for $l$ | $0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5$ |
| Notation for subshell | $s, p, d, f, g, h$ |
The following table shows the permissible values of $l$ for a given principal quantum number $n$ and the corresponding subshell notation:
| $n$ | $l$ (Subshell notation) |
| $1$ | $0$ $(1s)$ |
| $2$ | $0, 1$ $(2s, 2p)$ |
| $3$ | $0, 1, 2$ $(3s, 3p, 3d)$ |
| $4$ | $0, 1, 2, 3$ $(4s, 4p, 4d, 4f)$ |