Question

The shape of s-orbital is _______ and the shape of p-orbital is _________.
A.Spherical, dumb-bell
B.Dumb-bell, spherical
C.Spherical, double dumb-bell
D.Spherical, spherical

Answer 1

Hint:To solve the above problem one must know the orbitals. There are four orbitals which are denoted as s-orbital, p-orbital, d-orbital, f-orbital. They all are based on the theory of quantum mechanics.

Complete step-by-step answer:First, we will understand the orbitals. The term ‘Atomic orbitals’ is defined as the mathematical function which represents the wave nature of electron in atoms.
There are four different orbitals of different sizes. Shape and orientation. The orbitals are denoted by as s-orbital, p-orbital, d-orbital, f-orbital. According to the quantum atomic model, the atom can have many possible numbers of orbitals.
Out of the four orbitals s, p, d, and f. The two orbitals s and p are the basic orbitals. The shape of orbitals is defined using the concept of the probability density of electrons. The shape of the orbital varies according to the probability of finding an electron.
According to the quantum atomic model, the shape of the s-orbital looks like a sphere with a nucleus at its Centre. The shape of the s-orbital is symmetrical and therefore the probability density at a given distance equal in all directions.
The shape of the p-orbital is represented by lobes that lie on the plane passing through the nucleus. There are \[3\] p-orbitals that differ in orientation, shape, and size. The orbitals are \[2{p_x},2{p_y},2{p_z}\].
The \[3\]p-orbitals are represented as dumb-bell. The shape is represented as given below.
The shape of the s-orbital is Spherical and the shape of the p-orbital is dumb-bell.

Hence, the correct option is (A).

Note:The size of s-orbital and p-orbital increase with the increase in principal quantum number. The principal quantum number is represented by \[n\]. For example \[4s > 3s > 2s > 1s\] and \[4p > 3p > 2p\].
We can also predict the structures of s and p-orbital if we have the mathematical function of an atomic orbital.