The shape of a p orbital is
Correct answer: B. dumbbell shaped
- A. spherical
- B. dumbbell shaped
- C. doughnut shaped
- D. tetrahedral
Explanation
A p orbital has two lobes on opposite sides of the nucleus with a node at the nucleus itself, giving the familiar dumbbell shape, and the three p orbitals lie along the x, y and z axes. Spherical shape belongs to the s orbital. Tetrahedral describes a molecular geometry rather than the shape of a single orbital.
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About Shapes of Orbitals
Atomic orbitals are three-dimensional regions where an electron is most likely to be found, not fixed circular paths. The content covers the spherical s orbitals, dumbbell-shaped p orbitals, clover-shaped d orbitals, the orientations of orbitals, and how quantum numbers determine their shapes and energy levels.
Practise Atomic Structure
922 free Atomic Structure MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
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