Question

$p-$orbitals of an atom in presence of magnetic field are:

• A. three fold degenerate
• B. two fold degenerate
• C. non-degenerate
• D. none of these`

Answer 1

The correct option is A three fold degenerate

In absence of magnetic field, the degeneracy of $p-$ orbitals is $3.$ In presence of magnetic field, the degeneracy of orbitals remains the same if the orbitals can be inter converted by symmentric operation like rotation, reflection etc. Since p-orbitals are similar to each other, they can be inter converted by symmetric rotation. Due to this, in presence of magnetic field also, the p-orbitals are three-fold degenerate.