Question

The energy of an electron in $2p_y$ orbital is :

• A. Greater than that in $2p_z$ orbital.
• B. Less than that in $2p_x$ orbital.
• C. Equal to that in $2s$ orbital.
• D. Equal to that in $2p_z$ orbital.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Equal to that in $2p_z$ orbital.

The energy of orbitals doest not depend on the $m_l$ values.
So the orbitals $2p_x,2p_y$ and $2p_z$ are of the same energy and are called degenerate orbitals.