Atomic Orbitals and Properties Quiz

What is the shape of an s orbital?

How does the size of s orbital change with increasing principal quantum number, n?

What separates the lobes of a p orbital?

What is the shape of a p orbital?

How does the number of radial nodes in an ns orbital relate to the principal quantum number, n?

What is the shape of a p orbital?

How does the size of s orbital change with increasing principal quantum number, n?

What separates the lobes of a p orbital?

How does the number of radial nodes in an ns orbital relate to the principal quantum number, n?

In which type of orbital do we find that the probability of finding the electron is the same at a given distance from the nucleus in any direction?

Which type of orbital has directional properties?

In which type of orbital do we find that the electron is most likely to be found within a sphere around the nucleus of an atom?

How does the number of radial nodes in an ns orbital relate to the principal quantum number, n?

What separates the lobes of a p orbital?

How does the size of p orbital change with increasing principal quantum number, n?

Shape of Orbitals

The s orbital has a spherical shape, symmetrical around the nucleus.
The p orbital has a dumbbell shape, consisting of two lobes on either side of the nucleus.

Size of Orbitals and Principal Quantum Number

The size of s orbitals increases with increasing principal quantum number (n). Higher n values correspond to larger orbitals.
Similarly, the size of p orbitals also increases with the principal quantum number (n).

Radial Nodes and Principal Quantum Number

The number of radial nodes in an ns orbital is equal to (n - 1). This indicates that as n increases, more radial nodes are present.
Each radial node represents a region where the probability of finding an electron is zero.

Separation of p Orbital Lobes

The lobes of a p orbital are separated by a nodal plane, which is a region of zero electron probability at a specific distance from the nucleus.

Probability Distribution in Orbitals

s orbitals have a uniform probability of finding the electron at a given distance from the nucleus, regardless of direction.
This characteristic makes the s orbital spherically symmetrical.
In contrast, p orbitals have directional properties due to their dumbbell shape.

Electron Probability Distribution

The highest probability of finding an electron in an s orbital is within a sphere around the nucleus of the atom, demonstrating a high electron density even at varying distances.

Summary of Orbital Properties

s orbitals: Spherical shape, uniform electron density, size increases with n, radial nodes = n - 1.
p orbitals: Dumbbell shape, directional properties, size increases with n, separated by nodal planes, and lobes have zero probability at nodal planes.

Test your knowledge of atomic orbitals, shapes of atomic orbitals, and electron orbital properties in physical chemistry and bio-chemistry for first-year students. This quiz covers concepts presented by Dr. Lamiaa Amer Mohamed, a lecturer at the Chemistry department, Faculty of Science, Minia University.