Define the principal quantum number $(n)$.

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The principal quantum number $(n)$ is a positive integer $(n = 1, 2, 3, \dots)$ that describes the main energy level or shell of an electron in an atom.
Key characteristics of the principal quantum number $(n)$:
$1$. It determines the size of the orbital and,to a large extent,its energy.
$2$. As the value of $n$ increases,the electron is located further from the nucleus,and the energy of the orbital increases.
$3$. The total number of orbitals in a given shell is given by $n^{2}$.
Representation of shells:
Main shell $(n)$ $1$ $2$ $3$ $4$
Symbol (shell) $K$ $L$ $M$ $N$
No. of orbitals $(n^{2})$ $1$ $4$ $9$ $16$

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