QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
How many p-orbitals exist at any particular principal level (e.g., n= 2)?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this step-by-step, focusing on the quantum mechanical description of p-orbitals.
Step 2:: Understand p-orbital quantum numbers
- For p-orbitals, the angular momentum quantum number $$l = 1
- This means p-orbitals have a specific magnetic quantum number m_{l}
Step 3:: Determine possible magnetic quantum numbers
- For $$l = 1$$, the magnetic quantum number $$m_{l}$$ can take three values:
m_{l} = - 1, 0, + 1
Step 4:: Interpret the magnetic quantum numbers
- Each unique $$m_{l}$$ value represents a different p-orbital orientation in space
- These correspond to the px, py, and pz orbitals
Step 5:: Count the number of p-orbitals
- Since there are three possible $$m_{l}$$ values, there are 3 p-orbitals at any principal level
Final Answer
C. 3 p-orbitals exist at any particular principal level.
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