Question

match each orbital in the list below with the correct description for a comparison between 1s, 2p, 3s, 4d. choose only one is correct. 3s has the lowest energy of the group 1s has the highest energy of the group 2p has three degenerate orbitals 4d has four degenerate orbitals.

Explanation:

• For energy levels of orbitals, the general rule is that lower - numbered principal quantum numbers (\(n\)) correspond to lower - energy orbitals. So \(1s\) has a lower energy than \(3s\), \(2p\), and \(4d\).
• Degenerate orbitals are orbitals of the same energy. For \(p\) - orbitals (\(l = 1\)), the number of degenerate orbitals is \(2l+1\). When \(l = 1\) (for \(p\) - orbitals), \(2l + 1=2\times1+1 = 3\). For \(d\) - orbitals (\(l=2\)), the number of degenerate orbitals is \(2l + 1=2\times2+1=5\)

Answer:

\(2p\) has three degenerate orbitals.