Question

The energy of an electron of $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{y}}$ orbital is

• A. Less than $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{z}}$ orbital
• B. Same as that of $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{z}}$ orbitals
• C. Greater than $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}}$​ orbital
• D. Equal to $2\mathrm{s}$ orbital

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Same as that of $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{z}}$ orbitals

The explanation for the correct option:

(B) Same as that of $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{z}}$ orbitals

• The subshell electron orbitals having the same energy level are known as degenerate orbitals.
• These orbitals have similar energy levels.
• When orbitals have the same value of principal quantum numbers, they have the same energy.
• Electron filling in a 2p orbital involves $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ , $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{y}}$ and $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{z}}$
• All these orbitals have the same energy level as each other.
• Hence option B is correct and the rest of the option stands incorrect.

The explanation for incorrect options:

As the degenerate orbitals have the same energy, therefore option (A), (C), and (D) stands incorrect.

Hence option (B) is correct, $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ , $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{y}}$ and $2{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{z}}$ will have the same energy.