Question

Electrons which have the highest penetrating power through lower orbits are:

• A. p - electrons
• B. s - electrons
• C. d - electrons
• D. f - electrons

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

s - electrons

Penetration Power means the ability of the orbital for attracting electrons. The Penetration effect of the s-orbital electron is maximum. This is due to the closeness to the nucleus than are the p, d and f orbitals.

Therefore s-electron, due to it's more penetration effect, releases a greater amount of energy in comparison to other orbitals subsequently. Also, more energy is required to remove electrons from s-orbital than other orbitals.

Thus penetrating effect decreases in the order of $s>p>d>f$.

The correct option is $B$.